Galaxy threaten to take protest to CAS
Mqondisi Dube | Friday June 14, 2019 12:56
Galaxy protested, after Miscellaneous failed to fulfil a fixture against Township Rollers in March citing late communication from the Botswana Premier League (BPL).
The aborted fixture torched protestations from other clubs, notably Gaborone United (GU) and Notwane, who questioned BPL’s match scheduling.
As a result the BPL secretariat was warned not to change the fixtures without informing the board. The Miscellaneous, Rollers game was played at a later date, with Popa emerging winners, before going on to claim a 16th league title. Galaxy then launched a protest, with the BPL, arguing Miscellaneous was supposed to be docked three points, which would have seen Rollers gain soft points.
The Jwaneng side finished the season two points behind Rollers, and had the eventual champions gained the soft points, it would have meant a title decider between the two sides.
But Galaxy’s protest was thrown out by the BPL, who argued that the matter had been handled by a higher authority, the Botswana Football Association (BFA), which had instructed its organ to order the rescheduling of the fixture.
Galaxy are not amused, and their spokesperson, Tankiso Morake said they are prepared to go all the way to CAS in Zurich.
Rollers have already been crowned champions, but Galaxy’s move might throw spanners in the works. “We have received a letter from the BPL prosecutor informing us the decision (to reschedule the game) was taken by BFA, and therefore it was now beyond the BPL,” Morake said.
“We have instructed our secretary general to write to the BFA, expressing our unhappiness. We want to be heard. Otherwise, we will not rest, even if it means taking the case to CAS.”
He said they did not understand how BFA could be involved in the fixtures.
BPL chief executive officer, Thabo Ntshinogang said their hands are tied in the matter.
“Our prosecution team has responded to Galaxy and informed them that, the BFA as a supervisory body, decided that the match should be rescheduled and since the BPL is a lower structure, it is bound by the directives of the BFA, and can do no more than comply and implement the directive. So, from the Premier League side, the matter has been closed,” Ntshinogang said.
Meanwhile, Ntshinogang said the BTC Premiership awards will be held next weekend.