Santos protest over alleged soft points
Spira Tlhankane | Friday April 17, 2015 14:56
Santos gripe emanates from a second round league game between Fighters and Gantsi Terrors played on the day.
The game was abandoned after Terrors’ Onneile Segwai slapped an assistant referee who could not continue with the match as a result of the assault.
In his founding affidavit and certificate of urgency Santos deputy chairperson and head of legal affairs, Lyndon Mothusi said provided the points gained by Fighters are regarded as soft points, the article should be read in conjunction with article 13.1.7 of the Botswana Football Association (BFA) rules and regulations.
Mothusi argued that the provision should be read with the background of article 5.3 of the same rules.
The article (5.3) states that, “Where teams gain goals and points through a forfeiture by others, and consequently qualify for league championship promotion to a higher league, or avoid relegation, and such displaced teams which would otherwise have qualified or avoided relegation, the concerned teams shall have play offs, and the winner of the game shall qualify to a higher league or avoid relegation.”
In the notice of motion, Santos wanted “staying the conclusion of the first division league, before expiry of seven days, upon which a formal protest may be effected.”
Alternative, Santos would like to play Mogoditshane Fighters FC on a date to be determined at a neutral venue, Mothusi said in his notice of motion.
The team argued that with this state of affairs, it could not be said with certainty that the league is officially over.
The Gabane based club said that the soft points gained in the Gantsi Terrors game had displaced them.
The applicants argued that if it were not for the points gained by Fighters in the Terrors game, they would be two points ahead of Fighters.
Fighters currently has 39 points including the soft points while Santos have 38 points.
FDS chairperson, Sam Keitereng said the committee was aware of the matter and once they had processed the application then a decision would be made in due course.
“We will refer to the play rules and regulations as well as the referee’s report,” he said.
Keitereng said that the soft points matter was debatable because the game was actually played.
“The referee stopped the game.
Therefore, we will verify with the play rules and regulations to see if the matter will apply,” he said.
He, however, indicated that when a matter is above them, they usually refer it to the Disciplinary Committee (DC).