BFA rejects clubs' request for a waiver
Mqondisi Dube | Friday January 11, 2019 13:28
The embargo takes effect in the current midseason transfer window, which opened on Wednesday and closes on February 8.
The development affects clubs, which owe current or former players, and the cases have been reported to the Dispute Resolution Chamber (DRC).
However, the BFA is expected to soften its stance, with clubs arguing that the regulation should have been effected at the beginning of the new season, not in the middle of the campaign. “There is a feeling that if anything, changes were supposed to be made at the beginning of the season, and not allow clubs to participate (through issuing them with licences), and then barring them from signing players mid season. Again, we should consider the plight of the players,” a source close to the developments said.
But as it stands, the BFA has stuck to its guns and wants clubs to adhere to the new regulation.The majority of the clubs, will not be able to add to their squads as they owe, mostly, former employers.
Giants, Mochudi Centre Chiefs and Extension Gunners, have had well documented financial struggles, and are among several that owe players and the technical team.
First Instance Body (FIB) secretary, Phuthego Setete said only two clubs had applied to be issued with a clearance, in order to sign new players. FIB is responsible for licensing clubs at the beginning of the season.
Setete, however, stressed that if a club has made an arrangement with creditors, then this is not considered as overdue payables. He could not state the number of clubs affected by the ban.
“We are still waiting for the Dispute Resolution Chamber to adjudicate some cases today (Thursday). As of Thursday, there has been no request for registration,” Setete said, declining to comment on the clubs’ request for a waiver.
The development is likely to slow down business on the transfer market, with only a few clubs considered ‘clean’.
Botswana Premier League (BPL) chief executive officer, Thabo Ntshinogang said they are still waiting for the BFA to furnish them with the list of clubs that owe.
The new development was triggered by incessant complaints from mostly former club employees, who were struggling to get their dues.