GU face relegation after points deduction
Staff Writer | Friday August 31, 2018 12:01
GU were docked three points after failing to meet the August 26 deadline, and now have a further 30 days to rescue their BTC Premiership status.
The club’s chairperson, Boitumelo Nsunge was not in a position to comment as he said he was in hospital.
However, Botswana Football Association (BFA) public relations and marketing officer, Tumo Mpatane said the association’s president, Maclean Letshwiti was due to meet GU’s Elders Committee yesterday afternoon to map the way forward.
“As the football association, we can only comply with FIFA directives, which is why we instructed the Botswana Premier League to deduct three points. We urge Gaborone United, as our affiliate to comply for the sake of the integrity of the local game and the BFA,” Mpatane said.
He was hopeful that a solution would be reached soon to avoid further action against the club, popularly known as the ‘Money Machine’.
FIFA had ordered that if GU fail to pay within the stipulated period, three points should be deducted.
Last month, GU were found guilty of breach of contract after terminating the Ghanaian striker’s contract last February. The club was ordered to pay Appiah $39,500, plus interest calculated at five percent.
GU were further fined Swiss francs (CHF) 5,000, which was also supposed to be paid in 30 days.
After failing to pay, three points were deducted, and the judgement stated that, if payment is not received, the team faces relegation.
“If the debtor still fails to pay the amount due to the creditor even after the deduction of points in accordance with point four above, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee, upon request of the creditor, wi ll decide on a possible relegation of the debtor’s first team to the next lower division,” reads the FIFA judgement.
GU are in a precarious financial situation, but negotiations with potential sponsor, Nicholas Zakhem have moved at a snail’s pace. However, recent developments are likely to crank up pressure on the club officials to speedily engage Zakhem and accede to his proposal.