FIFA head of associations placed to make final stand on FUFA-USL crisis
Feb 07, 2012
HARDLY 24 hours after State Minister for Sports Charles Bakkabulindi ushered in temporary ceasefire between FUFA and Uganda Super League (USL), FIFA’s timely intervention could put guns to complete silence.
By Douglas Mazune
HARDLY 24 hours after State Minister for Sports Charles Bakkabulindi ushered in temporary ceasefire between FUFA and Uganda Super League (USL), FIFA’s timely intervention could put guns to complete silence.
Primo Corvaro, an official from the FIFA Member Associations Department and FIFA development officer Ashford Mamelodi arrived in Kampala yesterday to resolve the leadership dispute that is threatening to bring down the sport.
Corvaro, who intervened in a dispute involving the Sierra Leon Football Federation, the Football League Board and the Ministry of Sports will today at 2:30pm meet super league club representatives, League manager Paul Kabaikaramu and federation officials at FUFA House.
“The agenda and specific issues to be discussed have not been stated but FIFA officials will at the end of the day come up with FIFA’s position on the current wrangles. FIFA has been following events in Uganda,” FUFA CEO Edgar Watson told New Vision.
In a daylong meeting mediated by Bakabulindi at Lugogo yesterday, the warring factions agreed that the league should continue and FUFA provides referees.
“All the games that were not handled by FUFA affiliated referees will be rescheduled. As government, our interest is to nurture talent and protect it. I am happy that football will be played which will make players active,” Bakkabulindi stated. All second round games were handled by referees that are not recognized by FUFA.
They also resolved to readmit Hoima FC which was denied entry in the league.
USL promised to contact Hoima with a fixture covering all first round games that they missed.
USL chairman Kavuma Kabenge’s mindboggling 11-year ban still stands pending a review by a committee that will also review regulations and streamline relations between the two football organs. USL chief executive officer Ebil Segawa one-year suspension still stands.
“I am not moved by their ban. Those are their (issues) but the most important thing is that the league continues and football is victorious,” Kabenge commented before leaving Lugogo.
USL issued a statement explaining that clubs would meet to take a final position on what was suggested in meeting mediated by Bakkabulindi. Both parties were non-committal on the impact of the ‘temporary ceasefire’ on FIFA’s expected intervention.
Five resolutions made
All matches played under non acceptable referees be re-fixed.
Clubs will communicate through league manager.
Hoima FC be reinstated.
League runs as per the approved FUFA rules
FUFA to provide referees.