Just when football fans thought they had seen the last of a saga that has rumbled on for months, the BFL chief executive officer, Solomon Ramochotlhwane indicated they had appealed the DC’s ruling.
“The Prosecutor has filed an appeal with the Appeals Committee,” Ramochotlhwane said yesterday. Rollers were charged with the improper registration of Ratanang, which occurred outside the transfer window that closed on September 30, 2021.
Ratanang was reportedly registered on October 29.
In their ruling, the DC argued the case was treated differently as there was no official protest. As such, Rollers got the lesser punishment, other than a points deduction or expulsion from the league.
The committee did not have kind words for the BFA, criticising the mother body for failing to tighten its internal processes. This paved the way for the breach of the FIFA Connect registration system, which allowed the offence to be committed.
The DC gave both parties 10-days, starting from last week Thursday, to appeal the decision. Rollers immediately paid the P15,000 fine, but the case will now move on to the Appeals Committee. “We paid the fine last week Friday. We have since noted their Notice Of Appeal, which we received this morning,” Rollers chief executive officer, Bennett Mamelodi said.
The case has left local football scarred and threatens further divisions after Rollers were hauled before the DC for breaching the confidentiality clause. This, after Popa filed a protest, arguing several Security Systems players were registered outside the transfer window. Rollers' case was heard this week amid reports it could further open a can of worms.
The DC is expected to deliver its judgement soon.
