Top of the table squabble
Kabelo Boranabi | Saturday April 9, 2022 06:00
The BPL has over the years been marred by boardroom squabbles spilling into the field of play and once again, the league could be headed in that direction. Township Rollers president, Jagdish Shah faces the wrath of the Botswana Football Association (BFA) for utterances he made in an interview with one of the local newspapers. In a letter circulating on social media platforms, the Botswana Football Association (BFA) has written to the Botswana Football League (BFL), instructing the inferior organ to open an investigation against Shah for bringing the game into disrepute through his utterances. “Mr Shah is quoted by The Voice newspaper of March 25, 2022, alleging that the Players Status Committee is to be blamed for the delay in the processing of the registration of a certain player.
This is deceitful and brings the reputation of the BFA into disrepute. There is no case that was brought to the Players Status Committee concerning the said player.” “The unfortunate utterances bring the name of the association into disrepute and offends against Articles 2.9 and 2.10 of the BFA Code of Conduct. To this end, the BFA appeals to the BFL, to investigate the matter and take appropriate action,” part of the letter from BFA chief executive officer, Mfolo Mfolo reads. Contacted for comment, Mfolo directed this publication to the BFL.
The BFL chairperson, Nicholas Zakhem said he has not received a copy of the letter and said the issue was being handled by the secretariat. BFL chief executive officer, Solomon Ramochotlhwane said the issue was an internal matter which could not be discussed with the media.
This publication has been made aware that Shah’s remarks were on the back of reports that, Rollers’ full-back Onkarabile Ratanang was not eligible to play after failing to fully register for this season. Shah had claimed innocence in the matter and accused rivals, Gaborone United's director, Zakhem of "deliberately frustrating Rollers".
The recent activity is fuelling a rivalry between two of the most influential people in local football, Shah and Zakhem at a time when their sides are going toe-to-toe for the league title.