Botswana Football League (BFL) chief executive, Bennett Mamelodi says there was no influence from Gaborone United to change the venue for yesterday's clash against TAFIC from the Francistown Council Stadium to the Obed Itani Chilume Stadium.
Mamelodi said reports that GU had complained about the Francistown Council Stadium and the switch of venues might give negative perceptions that GU had influenced the change. "We released a press statement on Monday regarding the change of venue and it had nothing to do with GU's complaint," Mamelodi said. On Saturday, addressing a press conference, GU director, Nicholas Zakhem slammed the Premier League for continuing to use the Francistown Council Stadium, which has a poor drainage system.
Zakhem had threatened a lawsuit if the game was disrupted for a second consecutive time. TAFIC and GU were due to meet last December but the match was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch. With concerns that yesterday's game would be postponed for similar reasons, Mamelodi said they decided to move the tie to the Obed Itani Chilume Stadium, which had nothing to do with GU's concern. The two teams played to a 1-1 draw as TAFIC opened a three-point lead at the top.
Zakhem had threatened a lawsuit if the game was disrupted for a second consecutive time. TAFIC and GU were due to meet last December but the match was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch. With concerns that yesterday's game would be postponed for similar reasons, Mamelodi said they decided to move the tie to the Obed Itani Chilume Stadium, which had nothing to do with GU's concern. The two teams played to a 1-1 draw as TAFIC opened a three-point lead at the top.