BMC fight far from over
Mqondisi Dube | Tuesday October 8, 2013 00:49
However, on Saturday, the former committee refused to accept the ruling and convened a meeting to seek legal opinion from their lawyer. It was resolved that the matter be taken to court as a solution increasingly appears elusive.
'We left the matter in the hands of our lawyers. We are going to court and if all goes according to plan, it will be before the courts on Tuesday (tomorrow). Our argument has always been the same; that BMC Football Club is a society,' spokesperson, Themba Stimela said. The Phiri committee argues that the BFA ignored the Registrar of Societies' initial advice that BMC was registered as a society, which would have given the committee control. The association, following fresh submission from BMC representatives last Wednesday, ruled that the club belongs to the company's social welfare club.
'It is not our call, it is up to the Registrar of Societies to give us direction,' Sebego said.
Stimela argued that the BFA made an unconstitutional move in handing the club to the company. He said the association had ignored the Registrar of Societies' submission and instead went with evidence presented by the Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs Permanent Secretary. On Friday, BFA president Sebego summoned the concerned parties to a meeting in a bid to end the nearly six-month impasse. It was resolved that the club belongs to BMC's social welfare club following the company's submission on Wednesday. Sebego was away in Zurich, Switzerland when the suspension was communicated to the media. 'The suspension has been lifted based on new evidence presented. It is not our call, but we get direction from the Registrar of Societies,' Sebego said.
The latest development means the deal between BMC, the company and new owners, the Ghodrati family stands, leaving the Phiri-led committee in the lurch.
BMC corporate communications manager Tiro Kganela hailed the decision as victory for football before referring further inquiries to the BFA. Stimela, BMC spokesperson under the Phiri committee, said the decision taken by the BFA was unconstitutional. 'They did not recognise the initial letter from the Registrar of Societies but only recognised the letter from the (Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs) Permanent Secretary. The PS might be senior to the registrar but he/she is briefed by the registrar,' Stimela said on Saturday as the committee was locked in a meeting to map the way forward.
The Premier League office has been instructed to fixture BMC but reports are that there is division over the issue. It is reported that the Premier League wants a court order to be availed before the team can start playing.
Botswana Premier League chairperson Mike Molefe could not say when the team will be fixtured. 'The decision (to lift the suspension) was taken by the BFA and not the Premier League. Talk to the BFA,' Molefe said.
BPL officials were present at the Friday meeting where the suspension was lifted. BMC will still face the disciplinary committee over charges of bringing the game into disrepute after they sent two teams to face Motlakase Power Dynamos for what was supposed to be their league opener. 'That is a different matter but as far as I am concerned the charges still stand,' Sebego said.