Notwane refuses to play Satmos
Spira Tlhankane | Tuesday June 9, 2015 18:00
- As far as we are concerned, the league is over - Notwane
- We are ready - Satmos
- Rules will apply if any team does not pitch - Mamelodi
While the Botswana Football Association (BFA) might have thought they have found a solution, Notwane is ready to throw new spanners in the works.
This follows after the BFA ordered a relegation decider between the two teams last Friday. The BFA ruling meant an initial Botswana Premier League (BPL) management committee decision to dock Sankoyo Bush Bucks 29 points was inoperative.
Notwane chairman, Arnold Somolekae told Mmegi Sport that they would not play.
“For us the league is over and we are not aware of such a game,” he said.
Somolokae, who was the BPL chairman, said he would not discuss much unless “something comes up after Wednesday”.
Satmos chairperson, Monnakgotla Mojaki said his team has always been ready.
“We are prepared for this fixture, but anything can change,” he said. Mojaki who was Somolokae’s second in command at the BPL, admitted to Mmegi Sport they might decide to boycott the game too.
“I do not know about Notwane’s decision and it would not affect us anyhow,” he clarified. BPL chief executive officer, Bennett Mamelodi said Notwane had not informed them about their decision. “We are going ahead with preparations for the Wednesday fixture. This is a properly scheduled match,” he explained.
Mamelodi said they had long informed Satmos and Notwane about the match on Friday, therefore both teams were aware of the fixture.
He indicated that in a situation where Notwane or Satmos decide to abandon the game, the BFA rules and regulations would apply swiftly.
According to the BFA play rules and regulations section 14.10, no team shall withdraw from the league before the completion of its games, nor shall it boycott or withdraw from any BFA tournament.
In the same rules, section 14.14 states that any club that fails to honour a properly scheduled league game shall be suspended for a period of six months for first offence, 18 months for the second offence, and expulsion from BFA for a subsequent offence.
The play rules further stipulate that the National Disciplinary Committee as the judicial body responsible for handling such cases may impose an additional levy to the prescribed sentences on the concerned club as deemed fit.
Meanwhile, Somolokae insisted his team will not face Satmos tomorrow after the Premier League website reported all issues had been ironed out late yesterday.