Kenya coach McCarthy warns FIFA and CAF could intervene over unpaid salaries

Benni McCarthy's spell in charge of Kenya has been overshadowed by administrative problems, with unpaid wages and allowances creating growing frustration among players and members of his technical staff.

McCarthy raises concerns over unpaid wages

Kenya head coach Benni McCarthy has raised the alarm over outstanding payments to players and members of his technical team, warning that FIFA and CAF may eventually have to intervene.

The South African, speaking to Sporty TV, revealed that his coaching staff have yet to receive their outstanding wages, while the payment crisis has continued to affect the national team's preparations.

"The technical staff have received nothing. But at the end of the day, my job is to go out there and leave Kenya in a better position than I found it," he said, per FlashScore.

"We are professional enough to go out there and do our job. After the football matches, we can fight for what is worth fighting for. That is what I will continue striving for.

"The authorities will have to come good and pay us, and FIFA and CAF may have to intervene in this situation.

"But while we are there, it is our duty to make the players better and leave the country in a better state football-wise than we found it."

Unpaid allowances disrupted Kenya's preparations

The payment problems also affected the Harambee Stars during the October international break, when players reportedly refused to train ahead of their 2027 AFCON qualifiers against Eritrea.

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McCarthy said he had to personally convince the squad to return to training just one day before their opening fixture.

"I had to convince the players to train the day before the Eritrea game. I would never allow players to refuse to play because of issues they have," the 48-year-old explained.

"My responsibility was to get them ready, and I managed to convince them to train and play the following day."

Kenya subsequently drew 1-1 with Eritrea in Nairobi before losing 1-0 to Guinea.

McCarthy says players eventually received allowances

The coach also disclosed that the payment situation remained unresolved when the team travelled to Guinea, although pressure on the football federation and sports ministry eventually led to most players receiving their allowances.

"Travelling to Guinea, the players were still waiting to know what was happening. Eventually, most of them received their allowances because a lot of pressure had been put on the federation and the ministry."

Despite the difficulties, McCarthy insists his responsibility is to improve Kenyan football, but his warning has put further pressure on the country's football authorities to resolve the outstanding payments.

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