BFA, Premier League giants on collision course

MQONDISI DUBE
Staff Writer | Wednesday April 27, 2011 00:00

 

The three; Extension Gunners, Mochudi Centre Chiefs and Township Rollers argue that they should be allowed to participate in the pre-season tournament as it does not interfere with the Premier League programme.

The clubs held a media conference in Gaborone yesterday and said they decided to appeal BFA's decision.The mother body wrote to clubs that they could not participate in the Kabelano Charity Cup The clubs had entered into an agreement with Kabelano Charity Trust to play in the annual event for the next three years with the first edition pencilled for July 2011.

When the teams made a request to the BFA seeking approval, the association turned the request down claiming it was 'constrained to grant consent'.

'As a result of the position adopted by the BFA, the teams have lodged an appeal with the BFA Disciplinary Committee setting out various grounds in support of the appeal,' the clubs said in a joint media release.

Speaking to Mmegi Sport after the media conference, Mochudi Centre Chiefs' spokesperson, Ronald Modikana, could not specify what action the clubs will take in the event their appeal is turned down. 'We are hopeful a decision will be made. We don't want to be adversarial. We are partners. If we agree with what the BFA says after the appeal, then we won't proceed, but if we are not happy, then we will see what step to take,' Modikana said.He said their belief is that clubs have a right to raise funds. Modikana said since the matter is now before the BFA Disciplinary Committee, the clubs could not comment on the appeal until the matter has been determined.

The press statement said the three parties requested the DC to hear the appeal as one of urgency given the implications a delayed decision would have on the clubs' bid to raise funds and the adverse impact such delays would have on the preparations for the event.

'It will be noted that the Kabelano Charity Cup takes place outside of the Premier League season. As a result, there is no possibility of the event interfering with the Premier League or any of its activities. It effectively amounts to a pre-season tournament. Pre-season tournaments are customary in most countries,' the three clubs argued.