Bunjiwe Mkwananzi
Innocent Kurira [email protected]
BULAWAYO Chiefs have formally protested Scottland’s place in the Munhumutapa Challenge Cup quarter-finals, questioning the eligibility of midfielder Witbeen Stoffel ahead of their clash at Rufaro Stadium this afternoon.
Chiefs submitted a formal matchday declaration to the match commissioner before the 3pm kick-off, making it clear that while they would fulfil the fixture, their participation should not be interpreted as acceptance of Scottland’s progression.
The dispute stems from an earlier Munhumutapa Challenge Cup match involving Scottland in which Stoffel’s eligibility was questioned and the matter subsequently referred to the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) for determination.
The Premier Soccer League has publicly confirmed that the matter has been referred to ZIFA.
Bulawayo Chiefs contend that should ZIFA rule that Stoffel was ineligible and that the earlier match should be forfeited, Scottland’s progression from that tie could be affected.
“In that event, the club entitled to progress from the earlier tie may be a different club, and Chiefs would consequently have been required to play a different quarter-final opponent,” Chiefs said in their declaration.
The Bulawayo club therefore stressed that taking part in today’s quarter-final does not amount to accepting Stoffel’s eligibility or Scottland’s entitlement to occupy the last-eight position.
Bulawayo Chiefs requested that their protest be entered into the official match documentation and said their participation was strictly without prejudice.
The club also stated that it was not withdrawing its objection, waiving any rights under the Munhumutapa Challenge Cup regulations or accepting any subsequent sporting consequences should the competent authority later rule that Scottland were not entitled to progress.
Bulawayo Chiefs further requested that the official record reflect that they were fulfilling the fixture while maintaining their protest and all rights arising from the pending eligibility determination.
The declaration was submitted at 12:15pm and acknowledged by the match commissioner.
