Chiefs, Rollers play-off tomorrow
Boitumelo Khutsafalo | Wednesday August 10, 2016 13:33
The re-scheduling of the match follows the Botswana Premier League Disciplinary Committee’s decision to dismiss charges of misconduct laid against Chiefs. Chiefs were charged with three counts of misconduct following their failure to produce the adequate number of players for their play-off match in Francistown. Chiefs travelled with seven players and the match was cancelled with just over 30 minutes played after an injury to midfielder, Arnold Mampori. The referee had to cancel the match, as Chiefs were left with only six players on the field while Mampori was being ferried to the hospital with a head injury.
The BPL DC on Monday dismissed all charges against Chiefs and ordered that BPL organise a play-off within 10 days. During their arguments at the hearing on Monday, Chiefs stressed that they did not have intentions of not honouring the fixture and that should the game be rescheduled, they are ready to play.
“We made a reasonable request that most of our players were injured and will be ready by the second week of August. But we still managed to go to Francistown and play the game,” Chiefs representative, Lore Morapedi said. Six Chiefs players; Lesego Galenamotlhale, Thato Kebue, Jackie Mothatego, Ontse Ntesa, Othusitse Pilane and Mpho Kgaswane were injured.
BPL prosecutor, Mike Rasetshwane however argued that the fault should be pointed at the club for its failure to procure an adequate number of players for that match.
He said it was Chiefs’ responsibility to ensure that they had players available since the season had not been played to finality. He said the other reason that some of the players were out of contract was not valid as it would pave way for disaster.
He said it was the clubs’ responsibility to tie players to contract and always cater for situations where a season maybe be extended because of play-off.
He also argued that it was the club’s fault that one player, Thobo Mokopakgosi absconded from the game thus leaving Chiefs with only seven players. He said although there are other sanctions that are heavier with regard to charges levelled against Chiefs, his submission was that they get a lenient sentence of being docked three points and two goals.
However, the BPL DC in their ruling said in light of the view that Chiefs have since said they are now ready to play, the game should be organised within 10 days.