BPL await reports on Galaxy/Gilport's aborted match
Boitumelo Khutsafalo | Tuesday December 5, 2017 17:53
The game was aborted in the first half after Gilport remained with six players on the pitch, which forced the match officials to stop the game.
Gilport Lions had reportedly travelled with eight players to Jwaneng after many of their players failed to turn up for the trip. They started the game with eight players but two suffered injuries, leaving only six players on the pitch.
The club released a statement on Saturday apologising for the events that transpired that day.
According to the club’s general manager, Mpho Sephiri the club experienced challenges when they were about to leave for Jwaneng.
“Most of our players did not turn up for departure in time forcing us to leave Gaborone very late. The team (made up of few members) was however able to depart for Jwaneng, albeit late. We alerted our opponents and match officials about this and hope they will appreciate our efforts in mitigation of further inconvenience to all stakeholders,” Sephiri said in a press statement. She said the club will do all it could to address the matter and prevent it from recurring.
Speaking to Mmegi Sport yesterday, acting BPL chief executive officer, Thabo Ntshinogang said they were still waiting for the reports from the match officials first before they map the way forward.
“We will definitely receive the reports today. We have also not yet received anything from Gilport Lions. After we receive the reports we will then seek advice from the BPL prosecutor who will advise on whether Gilport Lions have a case to answer or not. Then we see what to do going forward,” he said.
The incident is the second in two years to happen in the Premier League with the first involving Mochudi Centre Chiefs and Township Rollers in the 2015-2016 season. Chiefs travelled to Francistown with only seven players for their play-off match. During the match, Arnold Mampori, now at Gaborone United (GU) suffered an injury and the match was aborted as Chiefs remained with only six players on the field.
Meanwhile, Rollers remained at the top and stretched their lead after a dramatic end to their 2-2 draw with GU on Sunday.
Edwin Moalosi scored a last minute equaliser to extend Rollers’ unbeaten run this season.
They have now collected 27 points from 11 games. Galaxy also retained their second position despite their game against Gilport Lions being cancelled, but now trail log leaders by nine points.
GU are in position three with 17 while Security Systems’ 2-0 win over Chiefs put them on position four with 17 points.
Orapa United failed to take advantage when they drew 0-0 with Police XI and trail Rollers by 11 points. Extension Gunners are slowly finding their footing after a slow start to the season.
Sunday’s 2-1 victory over BDF XI has taken them to 16 points and stayed in position seven.