21 Jun 2020

Regions and competitions manager for Botswana Football Association (BFA) says the association believes the decision to end the league was justified given the COVID-19 status in the country.

Speaking at a media briefing in Gaborone on June 20, Setete Phuthego said all relevant stakeholders were informed prior to the decision being taken on recommendations from the association’s medical committee.

He said the association strongly believed that the decision was not prejudiced against any team since it was unanimous after a survey was taken from all teams who played in the current season that play would not be possible.

He explained that ending the league, including the decision to award championship status to Jwaneng Galaxy, was based on log points, adding the decision was fair since 70 per cent of the games were played prior to the decision being made.

Phuthego acknowledged that relegated teams were crying foul as per the decision by the BFA, however indicated that continuing play was not possible since the BFA could not reach all modalities for COVID-19 safety requirements at the moment.

He further clarified that while leagues elsewhere around the world were able to resume play, the BFA was not in any financial position to do so because that would more than demand a larger share of the association’s purse.

He assured sponsors that while the decision to end the league did not favour the best value for sponsors, the BFA would continue to value them and would continue to make all efforts to engage them on how to get the best out their relationships.

Moreover, Phuthego said a committee had been set up to make modalities on how promotional playoffs would be brought to closure.

Tafic chairperson, Carlos Sebina however lambasted the decision by the BFA to bring the league to closure.

According to him, teams were not given sufficient time to respond to surveys and chart out the best course of action.

He said the decision was unprecedented as it shut down the biggest league in the country without assessing if teams could make validations for continuing play.

Sebina noted that they would appeal the decision by the BFA through its relevant adjudication structures as they believed they were not given a chance to take their say. ENDS