Through the conflict solving commission, Rwanda Football Federation (Ferwafa) has ordered Rayon Sports to pay their former coach Ivan Minnaert a sum of Rwf13.5 million in compensation of his illegal sacking in July 2018. Ferwafa issued the ultimatum to Rayon on Tuesday. Failure to settle the fine with the Belgian tactician could result in Rwanda Premier League defending champions being banned from all Ferwafa-sanctioned activities. Speaking to Times Sport, Minnaert revealed, “Until the last moment, I tried to find an amicable solution with Rayon but the offer they made to me was ridiculous – impossible to accept.” Minnaert signed a two-year deal with Rayon in April 2018, only to be fired three months later after he was accused of undermining and assaulting the club’s fitness coach Corneille Hakizimana. In a separate interview, Rayon spokesperson Jean Paul Nkurunziza said, “The club has agreed to pay the indicated amount to him (Minnaert). We will not appeal again.” The initial fine in September was Rwf32.5 million, which the Blues protested against the local football governing body in a formal appeal. After 15 matches rounds into the 2019/2020 topflight league season, Rayon Sports are third on the 16-team table with 31 points, six adrift of unbeaten leaders APR.
