The BFL chief executive, Bennett Mamelodi, said some clubs have been making last-minute venue changes, which disrupts the FNB Premiership's programme. Recently, there was confusion when Mochudi Centre Chiefs' tie against TAFIC was moved from the Royal Aria Stadium at the last minute. Magosi were forced to seek refuge at the Gaborone United Stadium, playing in a double header. This followed reports that Rollers, custodians of the Royal Aria Stadium had 'evicted' Chiefs from the facility. At the start of the season, Chiefs put Dinaledi Academy Stadium and Royal Aria as venues for their home matches. But after their fallout with Rollers, they have been left in the lurch.
This week, several fixtures fell victim to the fixture blizzard, forcing Mamelodi to threaten action. He said his office will put its foot down to end the chaotic run-around. Initially, on Wednesday, Chiefs were due to meet Chadibe FC at the Dinaledi Stadium but the match was moved to the Lobatse Sports Complex for a 5pm kick-off. This necessitated changes to the Extension Gunners against GU kick-off, which was moved from its original 5pm start to 7pm. Before the ink could dry on the changes, the BFL returned to announce a change in kick-off, bringing forward both games' time by an hour. Two hours later, the BFL office issued another statement, indicating the BDF XI and Orapa United game, which was due to take place at the Royal Aria, had been moved to the VTM Arena. This came amidst reports BDF XI owed Township Rollers for the use of the Royal Aria Stadium. Rollers, in a statement, confirmed BDF XI had failed to make timeous payments, whilst refuting there was bad blood with Orapa United. "The only reason the host team BDF XI was not offered the facility is due to them being unable to timeously pay the required stadium fee. It must be noted that we have in the past allowed BDF XI to use the facility. TRFC would like to be lenient with sister clubs, but as we also have an obligation to pay for the facility, we are constrained by the circumstances to avail the facility to other teams on credit," reads the statements. Chiefs returned to the Royal Aria Stadium yesterday, indicating thawing relations after earlier reports of a fallout with Rollers. The BFL issued a statement yesterday afternoon, notifying fans of another venue change, involving the Chiefs versus Chadibe FC game, which moved back to the Royal Aria Stadium. The back and forth left Mamelodi frustrated and fuming. "No changes for the remaining fixtures will be entertained," he said.
