Fifa order Rayon points deduction

World soccer body, Fifa, have instructed the Rwanda Football Federation (Ferwafa) to deduct three league points from Rayon Sports as one of the penalties for failing to pay former head coach Raoul Shungu.

A letter dated March 9, 2015 signed by the Fifa disciplinary deputy secretary, Alejandro Salmeron, Garcia and copied to Ferwafa and Rayon Sports strongly warns Ferwafa to take action or face a lengthy ban from Fifa-sanctioned events.

Rayon Sports owe Shungu an estimated Rwf13m, approximately $18,828, accumulated during his second stint at the club in 2008. At the time, he reportedly agreed with club officials to use his own money to bring in players like Honore Kabongo, Bokota Labama, Jean Lomami and Jimmy Kidega.

Shungu is also said to have used his own money to buy logistics like balls, nets and training kit but has since never been reimbursed. The Blues were experiencing financial constraints at the time and promised to repay him but they did not do so. They were also unable to pay his monthly salary of $2,500.

The Congolese tactician fell out with the club’s leadership and assistant coach Jean Baptiste Kayiranga in May 2009 and left the club. In September of the same year, Shungu wrote to Ferwafa asking them to take action against Rayon Sports but they turned a deaf ear.

In 2011, Shungu wrote to Fifa about the matter and a year later, the world governing body wrote to Rayon Sports instructing them to repay Shungu or face further consequences.

Towards the end of last year, Fifa wrote another letter instructing Rayon Sports to pay the money they owed Shungu not later than March 31 or face relegation to the second division as well as pay double the money.

Fifa has asked the Blues to pay Rwf21.9m which is approximately $31,218. Shungu is arguably Rayon Sport’s most successful coach in the club’s 47-year history having guided them to the 1999 Cecafa Club championship title (now the Cecafa Kagame Cup) as well as lifting three league titles in 1997, 1998 and 2002.