The SAFA Sedibeng Region leaders are up in arms over the misinterpretation of rules, resulting in promotion playoffs being halted.
The promotion to the Hollywoodbets Men’s Regional league was scheduled for Saturday, 31 August 2024 at Ratanda Stadium.
But in a letter issued by the Regional Executive Committee [REC], the playoffs were cancelled. This is after the Emfuleni LFA and Midvaal LFA allegedly failed to comply by registering players outside the window period stipulated in the SAFA Competitions Uniform Rules.
The two regions reportedly allowed their teams to register players outside of the normal registration window period.
CONFUSION IN THE SAFA SEDIBENG REGION OVER THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE PROMOTION PLAYOFFS
“This letter serves to confirm that the Regional Executive Committee has made a resolution to cancel Regional Playoffs on the basis that Emfuleni LFA and Midvaal LFA failed to comply by registering players outside the window period stipulated in the SAFA Competition Uniform Rules,” read the communique to the SAFA structures signed by League’s Coordinator Mandla Dipanyekga.
“This therefore means that Lesedi LFA teams 016 Magista FC and Gabon FC get automatic promotion to Hollywood Bets Men’s Regional League after nullifying of ELFA and MLFA Promotional Leagues.”
REGIONAL PRESIDENT INSIST ON PROMOTION PLAYOFFS GOING AHEAD DESPITE REC DECISIONS
But this took a different twist when the region’s president, Solly Mkhabela, overruled the decision by the REC.
“I hereby withdraw the letter issued by the Regional League Coordinator, which cancelled the playoff, the play-offs will continue on 31 August 2024 at Ratanda Stadium,” read the letter.
In the season 2021/22, the regional league was declared null and void by the arbitrator after Real Hearts won the league. However, they did not have enough players registered to play in the playoffs.
Sedibeng currently does not have a team in either a Motsepe Foundation Championship or Betway Premiership. This follows the relegation of Platinum City Rovers and the relocation of Betway Premiership side Marumo Gallants.
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