McCarthy Warns Kenya of FIFA, CAF Intervention Over Unpaid Technical Staff Salaries

Posted : 10 November 2026

Kenya head coach Benni McCarthy has warned that FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) could intervene in a financial dispute involving unpaid salaries owed to him and members of the Harambee Stars technical team.

The South African tactician expressed frustration over the continued delay in payments, revealing that his coaching staff have received nothing despite continuing their responsibilities with the national team.

Speaking to Sporty TV, McCarthy confirmed that the players had received their outstanding allowances following a protest over delayed payments in September. However, he insisted that the technical crew remained unpaid.

"The technical staff have received nothing," McCarthy stated.

The latest revelation comes after Kenya's preparations for their September 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixtures against Eritrea and Guinea were disrupted by a dispute over unpaid player allowances.

Harambee Stars players reportedly refused to train ahead of their opening qualifier against Eritrea at Nyayo National Stadium. The protest forced McCarthy to intervene and convince the squad to return to training ahead of the encounter.

The coach disclosed that the situation left the team with limited preparation time before the match. He also revealed that the players eventually received their outstanding allowances following pressure on the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) and government authorities.

However, the settlement of the players' payments has not resolved the concerns surrounding the technical team's salaries.

McCarthy warned that the situation could eventually require intervention from football's international governing bodies if the Kenyan authorities fail to fulfil their financial obligations.

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

Despite the financial difficulties, the former Manchester United forwards coach insisted that the dispute would not affect his commitment to improving Kenyan football.

He maintained that his priority remained helping the Harambee Stars develop and ensuring the national team performed to its potential.

"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," McCarthy added.

The latest development also raises questions about the financial management of Kenya's national football team. In September, the country's Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports announced that outstanding payments relating to previous national team assignments and technical staff salaries had been settled.

However, McCarthy's latest comments indicate that further payment obligations remain unresolved.

The dispute comes at a crucial period for Kenya as the Harambee Stars prepare for their 2027 AFCON qualifying double-header against South Africa. The two nations are scheduled to meet in their Group D encounters as the qualification campaign progresses.

McCarthy, who previously worked as a forwards coach at Manchester United, was appointed Kenya's head coach in March 2025. His contract runs until the 2027 AFCON tournament.

McCarthy Warns Kenya of FIFA, CAF Intervention Over Unpaid Technical Staff Salaries

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