False start for Uganda Super League
Sep 11, 2011
Has the Ugandan Super League started or not? The league's governing body USL say it has, and will punish any team that skipped their fixture; soccer governing body FUFA insist it has not, and have threatened action against anyone who played yesterday.<br>Out of six games lined up, only three took o
URA 1 Express 1
Masaka 1 Police 1
Fire Masters 2 Utoda 1
Water v BIDCO (w/o) Bidco appeared at Namboole
Maroons v Proline (w/o) Proline did not show up
Hoima v Simba (N/P) players were locked out of field
Has the Ugandan soccer Super League started or not? The league's governing body USL say it has, and will punish any team that skipped their fixture; soccer governing body FUFA insist it has not, and have threatened action against any team that played last night.
Out of six games lined up, only three took off.
One that failed involved BIDCO.
According to the USL, smiles might turn into gloom after BIDCO appeared at Namboole but failed to honor their Bell super league opening fixture against Water FC on Friday.
The players smiled as their images were beamed on the big screen by the SuperSport crew as they went on with their ‘sit down’ strike in the stands at the stadium.
But the smiles didn’t last long as a section of enraged fans beat them and chased them away from the stands thereafter. The fans who had paid to catch a glimpse of the action could not believe seeing one team (Water) on the pitch while the other was in the stands relaxing.
“Don’t waste our time here if you are not playing get out,†the fans shouted as some swung into action and chased the players out. Police had to step in to save the players from the angry mob.
BIDCO is also set to face serious sanctions from the USL.
According to USL chairman Kavuma Kabenge there are going to apply the rules without fear or favour.
“Of course we are all concerned that some of our members have not been able to play today and we are mindful of the politics surrounding this distraction but we are going to stick to the rules and whoever misses a match the rules will apply,†Kabenge told the press shortly after.
Apart from losing points BIDCO who signed the deed of adherence with the USL will not appear on any of SuperSport’s intended coverage of the different teams.
There are also going to miss out on TV revenue on top of paying fines as will be determined by the disciplinary committee of the USL.
“They must be sure where they belong. It is unacceptable for a club to come to the arena and not play,†Kabenge said.
Later, soccer governing body FUFA came out with a statement signed by Edgar Watson, FUFA Chief Executive Officer. It said that"On Thursday 8th September 2011, FUFA reconfirmed the suspension of the authority to run the Uganda Super League by the Uganda Super League Limited and issued a directive to clubs not to participate in any purported matches."
"This evening, FUFA has learnt that the following clubs have defied this directive by participating in the outlawed matches;
1. URA FC
2. Express SC
3. Water FC
4. Maroons FC
5. Simba FC
6. Masaka LC FC
7. Uganda Police FC
8. Fire Masters FC
9. UTODA FC
"FUFA has further learnt that a number of persons in their individual capacities have also participated in the same matches
In order to ensure compliance, FUFA has opened disciplinary proceeding against the said clubs and individuals and has consequently invited the defaulting clubs above for a disciplinary hearing before the FUFA Disciplinary Committee on Monday 12th September 2011 at 1000 Hours at FUFA House."
Masaka 1 Police 1
Fire Masters 2 Utoda 1
Water v BIDCO (w/o) Bidco appeared at Namboole
Maroons v Proline (w/o) Proline did not show up
Hoima v Simba (N/P) players were locked out of field
Has the Ugandan soccer Super League started or not? The league's governing body USL say it has, and will punish any team that skipped their fixture; soccer governing body FUFA insist it has not, and have threatened action against any team that played last night.
Out of six games lined up, only three took off.
One that failed involved BIDCO.
According to the USL, smiles might turn into gloom after BIDCO appeared at Namboole but failed to honor their Bell super league opening fixture against Water FC on Friday.
The players smiled as their images were beamed on the big screen by the SuperSport crew as they went on with their ‘sit down’ strike in the stands at the stadium.
But the smiles didn’t last long as a section of enraged fans beat them and chased them away from the stands thereafter. The fans who had paid to catch a glimpse of the action could not believe seeing one team (Water) on the pitch while the other was in the stands relaxing.
“Don’t waste our time here if you are not playing get out,†the fans shouted as some swung into action and chased the players out. Police had to step in to save the players from the angry mob.
BIDCO is also set to face serious sanctions from the USL.
According to USL chairman Kavuma Kabenge there are going to apply the rules without fear or favour.
“Of course we are all concerned that some of our members have not been able to play today and we are mindful of the politics surrounding this distraction but we are going to stick to the rules and whoever misses a match the rules will apply,†Kabenge told the press shortly after.
Apart from losing points BIDCO who signed the deed of adherence with the USL will not appear on any of SuperSport’s intended coverage of the different teams.
There are also going to miss out on TV revenue on top of paying fines as will be determined by the disciplinary committee of the USL.
“They must be sure where they belong. It is unacceptable for a club to come to the arena and not play,†Kabenge said.
Later, soccer governing body FUFA came out with a statement signed by Edgar Watson, FUFA Chief Executive Officer. It said that"On Thursday 8th September 2011, FUFA reconfirmed the suspension of the authority to run the Uganda Super League by the Uganda Super League Limited and issued a directive to clubs not to participate in any purported matches."
"This evening, FUFA has learnt that the following clubs have defied this directive by participating in the outlawed matches;
1. URA FC
2. Express SC
3. Water FC
4. Maroons FC
5. Simba FC
6. Masaka LC FC
7. Uganda Police FC
8. Fire Masters FC
9. UTODA FC
"FUFA has further learnt that a number of persons in their individual capacities have also participated in the same matches
In order to ensure compliance, FUFA has opened disciplinary proceeding against the said clubs and individuals and has consequently invited the defaulting clubs above for a disciplinary hearing before the FUFA Disciplinary Committee on Monday 12th September 2011 at 1000 Hours at FUFA House."