Chiefs puzzled by docking of points
Boitumelo Khutsafalo | Saturday April 20, 2024 06:00
On Wednesday, the committee announced that the Kgatleng giants have been docked four points after failing to remit revenue from gate takings in their last four home games. The decision caused a significant dent to Magosi’s title and promotional charge. They have now dropped from position four to position seven ahead of their crucial encounter against Notwane tomorrow at the River Plate ground. They are now on 21 points, 16 behind log leaders, Young Stars, with five rounds of matches left before the season comes to an end.
However, Moseki said they are still puzzled by the decision, which has left some of Magosi’s supporters disappointed. 'It is true that we received the sad news yesterday (Wednesday) evening. We are still shocked and we are asking ourselves several questions, which need us to engage with both the FDSL and the BFA. The FDS led by Mr Mokgwa (Thebeetsile) seems to be so confused and looking for wrong from an innocent person. Indeed we did not remit, because of their own resolutions,” Moseki said. He added that on October 17 last year, both First Division South and North clubs met and came up with some resolutions. Amongst the resolutions was that P30 be the maximum figure for tickets. In that same meeting, he said the clubs also resolved that they remit 10% of gate takings for all their home games to the league committees. He said the First Division South committee later wrote several letters indicating that they did not recognise the October meeting resolutions. He said they are surprised that the same committee now recognises the same resolutions by demanding that clubs part with 10% from gate takings. “Against our game with Prisons, they continued to de-recognise article 17.1 of the play rules, which gives them the power to remit 10%. They decided to give Prisons 100% denying us our 70%. Now we are here,” he said.
Moseki said the committee has decided to de-recognise the play rules, which state that institutional teams will get 30% from gate takings even when they play at home. He said the rule came about after the realisation that institutional sides enjoy some privileges from government, which other teams do not have access to. He said they were surprised when the committee awarded Prisons XI 100% from the gate takings. “The committee says we owe them P8,000 from four matches (P2,000 per match) and we told them to deduct from the money which was given to Prisons XI, which belongs to us. Now they have written us a letter stating that we have been docked points,” he said.
Moseki also wondered how a financial issue led to the docking of points and feels this is done deliberately to destabilise his side ahead of a crucial match against Notwane. While Magosi are looking to at least secure a promotional play-off spot at the end of the season, Notwane on the other hand are fighting for survival. Notwane sit at position 10 with 17 points. In another interesting match, log leaders, Young Stars take on Extension Gunners at the Galaxy Stadium this evening. Stars have opened a seven-point lead at the top with five rounds of matches remaining. Gunners are not out of the woods yet as they sit on position eight with 18 points. Uniao Flamengo Santos and City Polar will battle for second position tomorrow at the Gabane United ground. City Polar occupy the second position but are only ahead of Santos due to a superior goal difference.