We cleared debt – Gunners
Larona Makhaiza | Saturday July 9, 2022 06:00
Due to the debt, Gunners faced a FIFA ban, which meant the team was not allowed to sign players in three transfer windows effective 2020.
However, Gunners have been active in all the transfer windows, leading to a formal protest from Notwane. Machazani had reported Gunners to FIFA, with the soccer mother body, in turn, imposing a transfer ban on the Lobatse side.
Gunners chairperson, Rapula Okaile said the club received the letter from FIFA late when they had already made signings. “We did receive the letter from FIFA and I can assure you that by the time the club received the letter from FIFA in November last year and we had already made signings and registrations for the league as it had long commenced by then,” Okaile said.
Gunners have been financially unstable over the years, which meant they could not shell players’ dues in time. Okaile said the club engaged Machazani and drew up a payment plan. “The club did liaise with the player and made up a payment plan with the player together with his agent and reached an amicable decision on how to clear off the debt swiftly looking at our financial status," Okaile said.
He said they honoured the payment plan and as of now, they do not owe the player. "The club has now sent the necessary documents to the Botswana Football Association (BFA) to indeed show that the club has settled its debt it had with Machazani. Now, there is nothing that links us with the player," Okaile said. Machazani refused to comment on the matter when contacted by Mmegi Sport.
BFA is handling Notwane’s complaint, with the chief executive officer, Mfolo Mfolo acknowledging the formal protest recently. Okaile said the club was aware of what has been circulating in the media, that Notwane had filed a complaint.
He maintains, his club cannot be held liable as FIFA’s communication reached them after the transfer window activity. “Rona re le Gunners ga re na kgang le Notwane rona re dealer le BFA and Notwane should just deal with its relegation as they are just clutching at straws,” he said. Notwane was relegated from the Premier League after finishing 15th.