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NAIROBI — The two biggest clubs in Kenya, AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia, have been deducted three points each while their leaders have been provisionally suspended.

The two clubs were fined a total of KSh10 million (about US$92 000) after boycotting their Premier League match, which was scheduled for Saturday.

It’s the latest development in a fierce boardroom war featuring the clubs and the Federation Kenya Football.

The two teams, through a joint communication, claimed they were owed FKF and, as a result, they would not honour the biggest club fixture in the country.

The two biggest clubs in the country, stated they have not been paid sponsorship grants, as well as the FKF Shield Cup cash prize, totalling KSh3 million (about US$27 600).

“We had written a letter to both clubs on July 8 and communicated we will pay them their Shield Cup money by August 5. Rules are clear, you cannot refuse to honour a league match because of Shield Cup money,’’ said FKF president, Nick Mwendwa.

‘‘It is a joke and lack of seriousness considering the fact that the Shield Cup and league are two different competitions.

“Prizes are paid later after the final (is played), which takes about three weeks. Everything was ready at Thika Stadium on Saturday but the two teams refused to play and went for a friendly game.

“The clubs have been deducted three points each effective immediately. Leopards were the home team, and as a result, they have been fined KSh6 million (about US$55 248) while Gor Mahia, who were the away team, have been fined KSh4 million (about US$36 832).

Mwendwa urged the clubs to follow the right procedure if they are not satisfied with the action taken.

“They can appeal the decision by following the right channel,” he said.

“They have been further warned over their conduct in the future. No club is bigger or better than another in the league.”

It’s the last ugly fallout between the major clubs in Kenya and the football federation.

The two parties are already at loggerheads over the cost of the FKF Premier League trophy. The newly acquire trophy has touched off a serious fall out between Mwendwa and AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia.

Mwendwa announced on Citizen TV on Wednesday that the 24-carat gold-plated trophy weighing 11kg had cost “upwards of US$50 000’’.

Perhaps, feeling slighted by the “lavish’’ spending on the gong, Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards accused FKF of intentionally neglecting to remit to them sponsorship grants from broadcast rights holders StarTimes and naming rights holders BetKing.

The two cash-strapped clubs also played in the Betway Cup final, four weeks ago, but have not been paid their winnings.

Gor Mahia are also still waiting for their winner’s prize money for the 2020 league season. To express their displeasure, the two clubs refused to play the league’s signature fixture, the Mashemeji Derby, on Saturday.

Mwendwa’s response was swift.

He fined AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia and went further and provisionally suspended the two clubs’ chairmen Dan Shikanda and Ambrose Rachier.

As the new battle front unravels, it is emerging that the ‘’golden trophy’’’ that Mwendwa said cost “upwards of USD50 000” could actually have been acquired for much less than the declaration.

Documents seen by Standard Sports reveal the trophy, designed by Crystal Arc — a Dubai-based firm — cost just over KSh1,1 million (about U$10 128), including shipping charges.

During the interview on Citizen TV on Wednesday, Mwendwa was asked how much the trophy cost, the FKF boss responded: “Haaaaaaa, I didn’t want to talk about how much it is worth . . .” as the interviewer Trevor Ombija pressed for a rough figure.

“Give me a range,” Ombija asked.

“We really went out of our way to . . . to . . . to make sure that it’s eeeeeh . . . We are talking about upwards of fifty….’’

Ombija: “Upwards of US$50 000?”

Mwendwa: “Yes, to make sure that we have a trophy that represents what Kenya is.”

Ombija: “That is more than five million Kenya shillings.

Mwendwa: “Yes, and it took a long time to make.’’

A source has authoritatively told Standard Sports that the terms and conditions for the purchase of the “rubberised Masai man with gold mirroring” included an upfront payment of KSh100 000 (about US$980) and the balance upon completion of the work, in 20 days.

The source further confirms that FKF paid the amount in cash on March 21 via an invoice no 33523.

Standard Sports could not confirm whether the trophy was shipped to Kenya, or a FKF official travelled with it, meaning if the latter is the case, then the KSh500 000 (US$4 600) shipping charges would not have applied. Standard Sports has independently verified that an invoice which has been circulating on social media is indeed from Crystal Arc, showing details of the specifications of the trophy and the actual cost. — Goal.com/StandardSport