BDF XI left stunned after DC docks six points

Mqondisi Dube | Thursday January 16, 2014 16:29

 

 

The club appeared before the BPL DC on Tuesday night facing charges of bringing football into disrepute following a decision to take what was perceived a football matter to court.

Yesterday, BDF XI chairperson Boikanyo Addens reacted with shock to the verdict, which also saw his club fined P10, 000.

'It is not only a shock to BDF XI, but to most people in football. We are taking the matter further,' Addens said.

He added that they were waiting for a formal written verdict before deciding on the next step.

BDF XI was found guilty of bringing the game into disrepute after the Premier League side took the BFA to court over a friendly match involving Mochudi Centre Chiefs and Kaizer Chiefs in November.

The army side was scheduled to face Chiefs but the game was postponed to accommodate a friendly match against the South African side.

This did not go down well with BDF XI who immediately sought the intervention of the court and managed to get their game against Chiefs played on the initial date.

On Tuesday night, BDF XI were found guilty on a single count of contravening regulation 12.3 of the BFA Play Rules and Regulations as read with Article 17.2.8 of the association's constitution and Article 68 Paragraph 2 of the FIFA Statutes, by taking a football dispute to an ordinary court of law.

Busang Manewe (chairperson), Luckson Likokoto and Batlang Serema preceded over the matter, with Tshiamo Rantao prosecuting.

While FIFA has made it clear that football matters should not be taken to court, the FIFA Statutes or Disciplinary Code does not specify action against offenders.

But a former football administrator argues that teams usually lose points over technical and not administrative matters.

Under FIFA Statutes, article 68, BDF XI cannot take the issue to court, but is expected to appeal within football's dispute resolution structures.

Taking the matter to court might result in expulsion from the league. The points deduction means BDF XI drop from top spot to third with 35 points, three behind new leaders Township Rollers, while Chiefs are now second.