admin
H-Metro Reporter
HAVE the ZIFA Eastern Region Soccer League just messed up their case against Grayham FC for allegedly using an ineligible player?
On Monday, the region’s leadership announced Grayham FC were found guilty of using an ineligible player, in their final league match against Bikita Minerals, which ended in a draw.
They also announced that Bikita Minerals had been promoted to the Premiership, at the expense of Tenax FC, who thought they had secured the ticket at the weekend.
However, questions are now being asked as to whether the league’s leaders had the right to hear a case which, according to football regulations, should have been dealt with by their disciplinary committee?
Disputes in football are first heard at the disciplinary committee and, in the event that one of the parties is not happy, the case then is referred to the appeals committee.
The ZIFA constitution, and the FIFA Disciplinary Code, are also very clear on that.
The Eastern Region Soccer League constitution can never be in conflict with the ZIFA constitution and, in the event that is the case, the mother body’s constitution takes pride of place.
A similar case, also involving Grayham FC, erupted in the league when the region’s leaders fined the club US$8 000 for causing the abandonment of their league match against Green Fuel.
Grayham FC engaged legal representatives, Mambara and Partners, who argued that:
· The ‘Committee’ that sat to gather the facts had no jurisdiction to turn itself into a Disciplinary Committee.
· To the extent that it turned itself into a Disciplinary Committee it was in violation of Rule 17 of the ERSL Rules with regards to composition.
· All decisions made and penalties imposed should be deemed null and void.
ERSL chairman, Davison Muchena, said everything was held above board.
“It is the duty of the board to bring out all involved parties and see them coming with all their submissions before the board gives a verdict,” said Muchena.
“If a club feels they have been undone, they can go further and make an appeal to the ERSL disciplinary committee.
“From this level one can now engage the full services of lawyers but if it does not work there is room to also appeal at a national level.
“So, we did due process concerning the case of Bikita Minerals as we had representatives from all sides involved.”
Online Reporter