Express opts out of CAF
Mar 04, 2008
CASH-STRAPPED Express FC have asked soccer governing body FUFA to help fund their next continental trip or they pull out.<br>Express qualified last weekend to take on DR Congo side ASV Club, but the Wankulukuku side say the trip for the first leg away in Kinshasa would require sh80m, which they do
By James Bakama
March 21-23
Confederations Cup
ASV Club (DRC) v Express
CASH-STRAPPED Express FC have asked soccer governing body FUFA to help fund their next continental trip or they pull out.
Express qualified last weekend to take on DR Congo side ASV Club, but the Wankulukuku side say the trip for the first leg away in Kinshasa would require sh80m, which they do not have.
If the club officials and FUFA fail to raise the money for the trip and go ahead with a decision to pull out, Uganda will face a sh2.5m fine while Express will be banned from continental competitions for three years.
Article 13 of the competition rules states that: “Withdrawals declared before the start of the competition and until the quarterfinal final round inclusive, shall entail a fine of $1500 (sh2.5m) in addition to losing the engagement fees.
But, apart from the financial sanctions, every club withdrawing from the competition after the establishment of the fixtures will be forbidden from participating in all Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) inter-clubs competitions for three years following its withdrawal.
Express secretary Kavuma Kabenge yesterday wrote to FUFA explaining the club’s predicament.
“We do hereby notify you that we don’t have the money for the Kinshasa trip plus hosting the return leg. We hereby place ourselves in your hands as leaders to determine the next course of action,†wrote Express secretary Kavuma Kabenge.
Express are left with a sh43.5m debt after their weekend trip to Burundi’s Inter Stars.
But FUFA president Lawrence Mulindwa wondered whether Uganda’s most popular club had done enough mobilisation.
“That’s exactly why we always insist that clubs must get sponsors,†he said.
Mulindwa said FUFA does not have the capacity to salvage Express. “Our grants from FIFA are specifically tied to particular projects that have to be strictly accounted for to the world body.â€
In 1993, SC Villa failed to honour an Africa Club Championship return leg against Ivory Coast’s Asec Mimosas, resulting in a $90,000 fine Uganda paid.
Up to 1991, government used to fund foreign travel of all the country’s clubs.
March 21-23
Confederations Cup
ASV Club (DRC) v Express
CASH-STRAPPED Express FC have asked soccer governing body FUFA to help fund their next continental trip or they pull out.
Express qualified last weekend to take on DR Congo side ASV Club, but the Wankulukuku side say the trip for the first leg away in Kinshasa would require sh80m, which they do not have.
If the club officials and FUFA fail to raise the money for the trip and go ahead with a decision to pull out, Uganda will face a sh2.5m fine while Express will be banned from continental competitions for three years.
Article 13 of the competition rules states that: “Withdrawals declared before the start of the competition and until the quarterfinal final round inclusive, shall entail a fine of $1500 (sh2.5m) in addition to losing the engagement fees.
But, apart from the financial sanctions, every club withdrawing from the competition after the establishment of the fixtures will be forbidden from participating in all Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) inter-clubs competitions for three years following its withdrawal.
Express secretary Kavuma Kabenge yesterday wrote to FUFA explaining the club’s predicament.
“We do hereby notify you that we don’t have the money for the Kinshasa trip plus hosting the return leg. We hereby place ourselves in your hands as leaders to determine the next course of action,†wrote Express secretary Kavuma Kabenge.
Express are left with a sh43.5m debt after their weekend trip to Burundi’s Inter Stars.
But FUFA president Lawrence Mulindwa wondered whether Uganda’s most popular club had done enough mobilisation.
“That’s exactly why we always insist that clubs must get sponsors,†he said.
Mulindwa said FUFA does not have the capacity to salvage Express. “Our grants from FIFA are specifically tied to particular projects that have to be strictly accounted for to the world body.â€
In 1993, SC Villa failed to honour an Africa Club Championship return leg against Ivory Coast’s Asec Mimosas, resulting in a $90,000 fine Uganda paid.
Up to 1991, government used to fund foreign travel of all the country’s clubs.