07 Aug 2016

A case in which Mochudi Centre Chiefs are charged with bringing the game of football into disrepute contrary to Article 25.6 of BFA Play Rules and Regulations, will be heard today.

Chiefs were accused of fielding only seven players during the tittle decider against Township Rollers in Francistown recently at Francistown Sports complex.

On Thursday when Chiefs appeared before the Botswana Premier League disciplinary committee (BPL DC), their legal representative, Lore Morapedi argued that the matter should not be heard before the BPL DC, but rather BFA DC as per regulation 12.2.

Article 12.2 stipulates that; all cases of misbehaviour reported to the secretary general shall be submitted to the Disciplinary Committee for action within ten (10) days from the date that the secretary general becomes aware of such cases.

In that regard, Morapedi argued that Chiefs was brought to the wrong structure given that the BFA, DC was the only structure which was supposed to hear the matter.

“We therefore submit that this tribunal does not have any inherent jurisdiction or any inherent powers to act out the powers that it has been given in terms of the Botswana Football Association constitution, and therefore the tribunal cannot deal with issues of misbehaviour, as per article 12.2,” he said. However, BPL DC prosecutor, Mike Rasetshwane said the league system is run by BPL a body that was under the authority of BFA, therefore any counts of misconduct in the first instance must be dealt with by the committee constituted parallel to the structure being the BPL.

When making a ruling BPL DC chairperson, Busang Manewe said their position was that as the BPL DC they did have the jurisdiction to hear the matter.

“This matter has been going back and forth for a very long time, it need to be dealt with once and for all; we believe that the justice of this matter dictate that it be dealt with once and for all,” he said.

In that regard, Morapedi told the DC that they were not ready to proceed with the matter, he however, said they would avail them today after further consultation as to whether to proceed with the matter before BPL DC. ENDS