BFL drafts betting rules for players

Mqondisi Dube | Tuesday April 8, 2025 11:42

Botswana football teams are now part of sport bets, but the development has raised concerns that players could breach betting rules. The BFL chief executive, Bennett Mamelodi, said they are drafting sports betting regulations, which would be presented at the next general meeting. 'We are finalising specific regulations that will address sport betting by players, coaches and officials. The regulations should be ready for adoption by the BFL Annual General Meeting at the end of June. They shall be made public,' Mamelodi said. Whilst sports betting presents a double-edged sword, Mamelodi said local football should embrace the practice, as there are positives for the domestic game. 'Betting is upon us and will be with us for some time to come. We hope to benefit commercially from their presence but in a responsible manner,' Mamelodi said.

Prominent players in established leagues have been found guilty of breaching betting regulations, with West Ham midfielder, Lucas Paqueta, the most recent high-profile case. The Brazilian is facing a lifetime ban for falling foul of the betting rules, where he is accused of influencing the outcome of bets. He was charged with spot-fixing offences in four Premier League matches, although he did not place any bets. The bets are believed to have been placed by friends and family. Meanwhile, the Botswana Football Association (BFA) has not reverted to the BFL over complaints raised regarding the conduct of match commissioner, Mmoloki Sebeela. Sebeela, who was a witness in a case between the BFL, Gaborone United, and the club's director, Nicholas Zakhem, reportedly turned hostile and uncooperative when he was cross-examined last month. This follows skirmishes that arose at the end of a league match between GU and BDF XI in February where Zakhem was accused of attacking match officials.

Despite his report on the incidents, Sebeela reportedly became uncooperative during disciplinary proceedings and the BFL had to abandon its case. The BFL then wrote to the BFA to act against Sebeela but Mamelodi, on Thursday, said the mother body had not responded to their complaint. The BFA CEO, Mfolo Mfolo, said they had not responded to the BFL as the matter had been referred to the association's lawyers. 'The matter is still with our legal team and we are yet to respond to the BFL,' Mfolo said.