Temba Dube
Innocent Kurira [email protected]
BULAWAYO Chiefs yesterday declared that they will play their quarter-final tie against Scottland under protest after the Harare side allegedly used an ineligible player in the earlier rounds.
The match is set for Rufaro Stadium.
Scottland stand accused of registering more players than prescribed by the PSL Rules and Regulations.
Chiefs have formally challenged Scottland’s place in the Munhumutapa Challenge Cup quarter-finals, arguing that an unresolved player eligibility hangs unresolved.
In an interview with Zimpapers Sports Hub yesterday afternoon, Chiefs’ chief executive officer Thulani “Javas” Sibanda, said they are going to Harare because of the significance of the tournament and respect for all those that worked to bring it back and also President Mnangagwa who supported the idea.
Chiefs have lodged a pre-match protest with the Zimbabwe Football Association (Zifa), the Zifa Competitions Committee and the Premier Soccer League (PSL) over the eligibility of Scottland player Witbeen Stoffel.
The Bulawayo club is not only questioning whether Stoffel should feature against them on Sunday, but have raised a broader issue over whether Scottland were entitled to reach the quarter-finals in the first place after using a player of questionable registration credentials.
In a letter dated October 2 and signed by club chief executive officer Sibanda, Chiefs said they had asked Zifa on September 30 to urgently determine the matter before the quarter-final, but had not received a ruling.
The club’s concerns were heightened by a PSL statement issued on October 1 confirming that a related case involving Stoffel had been referred to Zifa for determination under the regulations governing a Munhumutapa Cup match.
Chiefs said the PSL had alleged that they were instituting a separate disciplinary process against Scottland over Stoffel’s participation in the Chibuku Super Cup.
“Chiefs does not seek to prejudge the outcome of the proceedings,” the club said in its letter.
“However, if the competent authority determines that Scottland fielded an ineligible player in the Munhumutapa Challenge Cup match through which Scottland qualified for the next round, the consequences prescribed by the Competition Regulations necessarily become material to the identity of the teams entitled to participate in the quarter-final.”
Chiefs referred to Rule 7.4 of the competition regulations, which it says provides for a club found guilty of fielding an ineligible player to forfeit the match, with victory awarded to the opposing team.
The club argues that such a ruling could potentially mean that the team Scottland defeated in the previous round should instead occupy the quarter-final berth.
Chiefs said it would be “inequitable and administratively unsatisfactory” to play Scottland and subsequently have the result affected by a ruling that the Harare side was not entitled to be in the quarter-finals.
The club has asked Zifa to determine whether Stoffel was eligible for Scottland’s previous Munhumutapa Cup match, what sanction would apply if he was ineligible, whether Scottland were entitled to progress and, if not, which club should occupy the quarter-final position.
However, Chiefs confirmed they will honour Sunday’s fixture if no determination is made before kick-off.
“Chiefs will fulfil the fixture as scheduled in order to comply with its match obligations. However, Chiefs will do so strictly under protest,” the club said.
The quarter-final is scheduled for 3pm tomorrow, with Chiefs indicating that it intends to lodge its formal eligibility protest before the stipulated 2pm deadline.
The development adds another layer of intrigue to a quarter-final that already carries significant importance for both sides, with Chiefs seeking a place in the semi-finals while Scottland look to continue their cup campaign.
Scottland stand accused of having more players on their roll than prescribed with club arguing that some are in their books for the African campaign only.
