FUFA bans the League as USL relax position on Cup

Jan 19, 2012

FUFA has suspended the Uganda Super League and issued an ultimatum of ten days for the clubs to comply with the recent ban of USL officials.

By Swalley Kenyi

FUFA has suspended the Uganda Super League and issued an ultimatum of ten days for the clubs to comply with the recent ban of USL officials.

Several league matches were due to be played at various grounds on Friday as the second round of the competition begins.

But the FUFA executive committee meeting that sat on Thursday afternoon suspended the league and warned that it would withdraw USL powers to run the competition if the suspension continues to be defied.

FUFA on Monday slapped an eleven year ban on USL chairman Kavuma Kabenge and issued one year suspension for Ebil Ssegawa.

They two were charged with forgery, falsification, misinterpretation of documents and defiance of FUFA but the individuals backed by selected USL clubs rubbished the decision saying the federation did not have powers to punish them.

FUFA is demanding that super league clubs comply with the bans from any football activities under it.

In response, USL chose to boycott the Uganda Cup. But USL spokesman James Sekandi issued an unsigned statement relaxing their position following a meeting with their sponsors who also bankroll the cup competition.

“As a result of this meeting, it has been confirmed that all 15 member clubs of the Uganda Super League will participate in this year’s Bell Uganda Cup,” the statement said in part.

FUFA held the Uganda Cup draws on Thursday morning and only Villa, Maroons, Masaka and Simba were the USL clubs that did not turn up for the exercise.

FUFA also wants USL to re-constitute its Management Board to comprise Directors from all the 16 clubs and restore changes in its statutes in accordance to association football rules.

The federation argues that USL has adjusted some parts of the statute to suit its interests. Mengo also demands that USL reinstates Hoima-Busia FC which was locked out of the Uganda Super League at the beginning of the season.

“If the clubs do not comply by January 30, 2012 the Federation will have no option but withdraw the authority to run the Uganda Super League as provided for in the FUFA constitution,” a statement issued by FUFA head of media communication Rogers Mulindwa on Thursday night read in part.

FUFA is due to meet sponsors of the league and the club owners jointly in Kampala on Monday. National Council of Sports has also summoned both FUFA and USL for separate hearings at Lugogo on Friday afternoon.

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