FUFA, USL agree to end stalemate

By Douglas Mazune

A series of meetings conducted by FIFA official Primo Corvaro for over 14 hours appear to have had a sobering effect on Ugandan soccer which has been steadily collapsing under boardroom brawl.

Corvaro was in Kampala on Monday in an effort to resolve a standoff between Uganda Super League (USL) and soccer governing body FUFA which was crippling Uganda’s top flight soccer league.

Corvaro, who was accompanied by FIFA development officer in charge of Eastern and Southern Africa Ashford Mamelodi met FUFA, USL, club officials and the sponsors and the consensus was that boardroom contest should not affect football progress.

“We are ready to implement our short term measures for football to go on.  We have returned to USL the mandate to run the league as long as they put in place the agreed action points. FIFA was here to clearly state how football should be managed more especially in the current circumstances,” FUFA vice president (administration) Moses Magogo told New Vision Online on Wednesday.

USL spokesman James Sekandi said they had complied and dully issued a new fixture that included Busia-Hoima whose absence is part of the contention.

“The fixture is actually the most urgent issue which we have just been working on and we are through with it. About the other action points clubs are to meet and a decision will be communicated,” Sekandi said.

USL short term action points:

USL chairman Kavuma Kabenge and chief executive officer Ebil Segawa who were banned should step aside, withdraw cases against FUFA from courts of law and appeal the ban through sporting means.

USL issues a league fixture that includes Hoima/Busia FC and the games that were handled by uncertified referees be replayed.

USL should acknowledge FUFA competition rules.

FUFA short term action points:

To recognise the Super League as legitimate as requested by SuperSport representative Garry Rathbone.

FUFA left the door open to Kabenge and Segawa to appeal the ban despite the 13-day period elapsing. The banned officials have the option of appeal in the court of arbitration in Zurich.

FUFA to provide match officials for the league.

FUFA executive committee to come up with a roadmap to lasting solutions.

Long term solutions

The FUFA constitution and USL articles of association have to be reviewed to close the gaps and spell out proper management of soccer in line with FIFA’s statutes for national associations.

FUFA to call an extra-ordinary assembly to approve a new constitution that FIFA will have an input in.

FUFA will have an input in member associations’ constitutions.

USL articles of association must include crucial FIFA recommended statutes.