FIFA matter under control- BFA
Mqondisi Dube | Friday March 27, 2015 18:00
Sebego, who refused to divulge much detail about FIFA’s response, said the issue had been referred to the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture. “I am constrained to talk about the matter at the moment, but what I can tell you is that the matter is under control. There is nothing to worry about,” he said.
Sebego said it was untrue that the BFA had sought another extension as it continues to seek a solution to the running of constituency tournaments. FIFA had threatened to ban Botswana over constituency tournaments, arguing they violate its statutes. “It is a lie that we requested for an extension. We sent our proposed constitutional amendments and everything is on track.
“The FIFA response (which has been sent to the ministry) is not a bad response. They will continue to monitor progress,” Sebego said, adding the BFA will issue a press statement on the matter to give full details.
The constitutional amendments, which would see the tournament accommodated under the BFA, are expected to sail through at the local soccer mother body’s general assembly in August.
FIFA initially gave BFA up to the end of September 2014 to ensure the tournaments are run under the control of the BFA. The BFA sought an extension, which was granted until Tuesday this week. The world body had argued that the tournaments, under the current arrangement where the government has total control, violated its statutes. FIFA had sent a delegation to Botswana on a fact-finding mission, before its investigations concluded the tournaments were outside the control and supervision of the BFA contrary to regulations.