Record FKF Premier League champions Gor Mahia have suffered another legal blow after the Sports Disputes Tribunal (SDT) ordered the club to pay former player Sydney Wahongo Ksh2.8 million for unlawful contract termination and salary arrears.Download our Mozzart Sport app for more newsAccording to the judgment delivered in Nairobi under case number SDTSC/E059/2025, the tribunal found Gor guilty of breaching the player’s contract through non-payment before unlawfully terminating his deal in February 2025.The tribunal noted that Wahongo had signed a contract running from 1 August, 2024 to 31 July, 2026, earning a monthly salary of Ksh100,000 before the club moved to terminate the agreement on 7 February, 2025.##NAJAVA_MECA_9728231##In its findings, the tribunal ruled that the player had successfully proved salary arrears amounting to approximately Ksh1 million, which Gor Mahia failed to rebut during proceedings.“The respondent is in fundamental breach due to non-payment,” part of the ruling read.Gor Mahia had attempted to defend their decision by citing force majeure and performance-based grounds, while also relying on Article 15 of FIFA’s Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players (RSTP) relating to sporting just cause.However, the tribunal dismissed the argument, stating that Article 15 protections are only available to players and not clubs.Joseph Okumu and Eric ‘Marcelo’ Ouma's influence on Kenyan transfers to Europe“In CAS 2013/A/3091, the panel stated: ‘A club cannot invoke purely sporting reasons as valid grounds to unilaterally terminate an employment contract,’” the ruling added.The SDT consequently declared the termination unlawful under FIFA regulations and awarded the player compensation alongside unpaid salaries.Gor were directed to pay Ksh1 million in salary arrears, Ksh1.8 million as compensation for unlawful termination and interest accrued at court rates from the date of filing until full payment.Government promises historic 2027 Africa Cup of Nations tournamentThe tribunal also dismissed Gor Mahia’s counterclaim and awarded the costs of the proceedings to the player.In its final remarks, the tribunal emphasised that contractual stability remains a fundamental pillar within football governance and warned clubs against violating FIFA employment regulations.“Contractual stability is a fundamental pillar of the global football regulatory framework and must be upheld with strict adherence to FIFA regulations,” the judgment stated.Wanyama reveals club where he would want to launch his coaching careerWahongo joined Gor Mahia in 2020 from the then top-flight side Western Stima and is currently turning out for APS Bomet in the FKF Premier League.The ruling piles further financial pressure on Gor Mahia, who in recent years have repeatedly faced disputes involving delayed salaries and contractual disagreements with players and technical staff.Former players Adama Keita and Clifton Miheso are among those who have recently dragged the club to the tribunal over contractual and salary-related disputes.