Botswana Football League (BFL) chief executive, Bennett Mamelodi has dismissed Gaborone United over efforts to intervene over a red card appeal involving Jwaneng Galaxy goalkeeper, Victor James.
The Galaxy player was shown a red card for handling the ball outside the box during a league match against BDF XI on Sunday. The defending champions won the tie 3-2 but Galaxy have launched an appeal with the BFL challenging the red card decision. But in a twist, it was GU that wrote to the BFL, urging the league authority to dismiss Galaxy's appeal. GU general manager (GM), Thapelo Mothusi in a letter written on Tuesday, said his club was concerned with Galaxy's appeal. GU said the complaint was unlawful by FIFA laws and, therefore, should not be entertained. “As GM of GU, I would like to address this matter by emphasising two key points.
The FIFA laws of the game explicitly state that a referee’s decision during a match is final and binding,” Mothusi said. “The referee’s authority extends to all match-related incidents, including disciplinary actions such as the issuance of red cards,” he said. Mothusi said FIFA's principle is vital for preserving the integrity of the game, ensuring consistency in the enforcement of rules and protecting the credibility of match officials. “Allowing appeals against referee decisions, unless there is incontrovertible evidence of a procedural breach, sets a dangerous precedent. It risks opening doors for constant challenges to match decisions undermining the efficient operation of the league and protecting the credibility of match officials,” he said.
Mothusi argued there is a lack of clarity on the appeals process and committee. “We are concerned about the lack of transparency regarding the committee responsible for hearing this appeal. We are unaware of the establishment and mandate of this committee; its composition and operational framework,” Mothusi said. In response, BFL's Mamelodi said Mothusi had jumped the gun. Instead, he said GU should have waited until the appeal process was concluded. “With respect Sir, your insinuations are presumptuous and premature, because you assume that a decision has been made which is not correct. For you to suggest that I should have ignored a formal submission from a member club is unfortunate and grossly contradicts the transparency, credibility, and integrity that you refer to in your letter, let alone plain and simple fairness,” he said.
“The representations received from Galaxy have been referred to the relevant authority at BFA for processing and consideration, the process has not even begun as I type this letter,” Mamelodi added. Mamelodi said the Appeals and Process Committee exists. “It is true that the National Referees Commission has got a substructure known as Referees Review Committee just as they have Referees Appointment Committee, Referees Disciplinary Committee, Referees Development Committee, amongst others,” Mamelodi said. As to why as a shareholder, GU was not aware of the existence of the committees, Mamelodi advised the club to take up the issue with the BFA.
The FIFA laws of the game explicitly state that a referee’s decision during a match is final and binding,” Mothusi said. “The referee’s authority extends to all match-related incidents, including disciplinary actions such as the issuance of red cards,” he said. Mothusi said FIFA's principle is vital for preserving the integrity of the game, ensuring consistency in the enforcement of rules and protecting the credibility of match officials. “Allowing appeals against referee decisions, unless there is incontrovertible evidence of a procedural breach, sets a dangerous precedent. It risks opening doors for constant challenges to match decisions undermining the efficient operation of the league and protecting the credibility of match officials,” he said.
Mothusi argued there is a lack of clarity on the appeals process and committee. “We are concerned about the lack of transparency regarding the committee responsible for hearing this appeal. We are unaware of the establishment and mandate of this committee; its composition and operational framework,” Mothusi said. In response, BFL's Mamelodi said Mothusi had jumped the gun. Instead, he said GU should have waited until the appeal process was concluded. “With respect Sir, your insinuations are presumptuous and premature, because you assume that a decision has been made which is not correct. For you to suggest that I should have ignored a formal submission from a member club is unfortunate and grossly contradicts the transparency, credibility, and integrity that you refer to in your letter, let alone plain and simple fairness,” he said.
“The representations received from Galaxy have been referred to the relevant authority at BFA for processing and consideration, the process has not even begun as I type this letter,” Mamelodi added. Mamelodi said the Appeals and Process Committee exists. “It is true that the National Referees Commission has got a substructure known as Referees Review Committee just as they have Referees Appointment Committee, Referees Disciplinary Committee, Referees Development Committee, amongst others,” Mamelodi said. As to why as a shareholder, GU was not aware of the existence of the committees, Mamelodi advised the club to take up the issue with the BFA.