SWRL 2017-18: 1st Round Homologation Decisions Spark Controversy

Manyu FC and Vipers FC of Ekombe have been laid off the current regional championship, and relegated to the inferior league.

The decision is contained in a release dated 20 July, 2017, and signed by the President of the homologation and disciplinary committee of the south west football league, Barrister Sumelong Henry Awasume, and the rapporteur Arreyngang Walter Bullivant.

The 15-page document is a consequence of two sessions held by the homologation and disciplinary committee in June, 2017.

The sanctions are as follows:

The home ground of Barca Junior has been suspended after its supporters molested and attacked match officials during a day-four encounter with Maumu Youths in Banga Bakundu.

The vice president of Cinyodev, Che Sullivan, and his Assistant Coach Agbor Emmanuel, have been handed a two-match ban after assaulting the central referee of their game against Maumu Youths on the 6th day of action. A similar fate befalls Coach Enowbi Brandon of CUSA, who acted violently on a referee on the very 1st day of play.

Citing articles 38 & 91 of the rules governing the competition, Manyu FC who withdrew from the campaign have been relegated to the inferior league. The Mamfe side have also been fined FCFA 250.000, courtesy article 25 sub 1 of the financial regulations of the FECAFOOT law book.

New comers Vipers FC of Ekombe have been declared general forfeiture and relegated following two unexplained match absences. Article 25 sub 1 of the financial regulations of the statutes also implicates Vipers to pay one quarter of a million francs CFA.

On the other hand, reporters have seriously questioned the non-sanctioning of the referee Ashu Paul who poorly handled the 2-2 draw between Cinyodev and Maumu Youths on Sunday July 2, 2017, at the Molyko Omnisport Stadium.

Nothing was also done to the fans of Leopards FC who ill-treated EEMSA’s Jerome Fontem in Menji on Wednesday July 12.

Eye-brows are being raised after the referee Ewane Sunny went scourge free. A match pitting St. Peters to Dynamic at the Limbe Omnisport Stadium had kicked off one hour behind schedule, following the late arrival of the said referee.

Fans have through a Buea local radio sports programme called on the league to be more unprejudiced and proficient in homologating matches. Few hours after releasing the 15-page document on Tuesday 25 July 2017, the Secretary General of the league, Mayebi John, and his collaborator, Thomas Makia, brought forth a rectified version after noticing loop holes.

The official classification table shows that three Limbe clubs: Victoria United, Best Stars and Saint Peters are leading respective pools. Notwithstanding, Continental, Njalla Quan and Ekona FC ingloriously ended the first round at the bottom.

It should be noted that three points have been slashed from Mount Cameroon and transferred to Best Stars of Limbe. According to the release, the penalty stems from the fact that the Lava Boys acquired licenses only after their game with Best Stars on the 4th of June. Coach Django’s side had won by 2 goals to 1.

The second round will feature seven teams instead of eight in Group B, and nine instead of ten in Group C due to the dismissal of Manyu FC and Vipers of Ekombe. In effect, 24 teams a remaining. Mr Mayebi says they are working on second round fixtures, and sure to have matches from this week.