KCCA FC pulls the plug on CAS case over Gavin Kizito eligibility dispute
- Ronald Lusulire
- 9 hours ago
- 2 min read
Photo Credit - KCCA FC Media.
KCCA FC has officially withdrawn its high-profile appeal against the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) and Mbarara City FC from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), SportsNation can confirm.
The case registered as CAS 2025/A/11211 arose from a heated eligibility row over defender Gavin Kizito, following KCCA’s 2-0 victory over Mbarara City FC on 7 January 2025 in the Uganda Premier League (UPL).
That win was overturned after the FUFA Disciplinary Panel ruled that KCCA had fielded an ineligible player, costing them three vital points in the title race. KCCA FC, adamant that they had received clearance from the UPL Secretariat, challenged the ruling.
However, the FUFA Appeals Committee on 29 January upheld the initial decision, clarifying that only the FUFA Competitions Department had the authority to verify disciplinary statuses. Refusing to back down, KCCA FC escalated the matter to CAS on 21st February, paying the required CHF 1,000 Court Office fee and submitting their Appeal Brief by 7 March.
But the legal process soon stalled, largely due to procedural delays and unpaid arbitration costs. While Mbarara City FC submitted their response on 8 April, the case never progressed further. On 10 April, KCCA FC informed CAS of their decision to withdraw the appeal, an action done with the consent of both respondents.
In a joint withdrawal notice, all parties agreed to shoulder their own legal costs. As no arbitration panel had been appointed and no additional submissions filed, CAS officially struck the case off its roll.
A statement from CAS confirmed: “Considering that, in view of the above, the appeal filed by KCCA FC shall be deemed withdrawn and the procedure case shall consequently be terminated and deleted from the CAS roll…”
The only cost retained is the CHF 1,000 already paid by KCCA FC, bringing a quiet end to what was once a contentious and potentially precedent-setting dispute in Ugandan football.
