They are joking - NgarizemoVows to challenge Young African's relegation The Young African boss says he is consulting his lawyers, after his team was unceremoniously booted out of the NPL yesterday. Young African head coach and chairman Maleagi 'Mali' Ngarizemo says people are “joking and doing stupid things” and that his lawyers will intervene after it was announced yesterday that his team was relegated from the Namibia Premier League (NPL).
“The people are joking and doing stupid things. I'm busy with my lawyers and we will write a letter to the NPL. They are not even giving me a chance to appeal,” Ngarizemo said. He was presented yesterday with a letter by the NPL disciplinary committee with clear statements that his club will be stripped of all their points and will no longer form part of the 2018/19 NPL season. This after they were found guilty of fraud and contravening NPL rules by fielding an ineligible player during the 2017/18 season.
On top of being kicked out of the top-flight, the club was also fined a total of N$50 000 for two offences - N$25 000 each - with payment to be made on or before the end of May 2019.
“Count 1: Fraud: In that on or about the 21 April 2017 and during the 2017/18 MTC premiership season and at Windhoek, Young African unlawfully and intentionally made a misrepresentation to the NPL and/or alternatively to the Namibia Football Association and/or alternatively to other members of the NPL, by registering a player with false identification details,” the letter reads.
It goes on to say that Young African contravened rule 52.4 of the NPL football manual on rules and regulations.
“In that on or during the 2017/18 MTC premiership season and at various football venues (Young) African did unlawfully and intentionally violate rule 52.4 of the NPL football manual on rules and regulations for corrupt, dishonest or unlawful practice in connection with matches played under the auspices of the league, or in connection with the affairs of the league, in that African FC utilised the services of a player who was not eligible to play.”
The letter also states the NPL had a hearing for the club and that they admitted guilt to both counts.
The club will forfeit all points accumulated in the matches the ineligible player played in. These points will be awarded to their opponents.
A source close to NPL said it's very sad that this has happened to the club, but the right processes had taken place.
“They were already told last year that this might happen, and it did, and so they were presented with the letter on black and white. They have a chance to appeal but as it stands they are relegated.”
Young African were occupying the 10th spot on the NPL log with eight points, and were scheduled to play Unam tomorrow afternoon.
“The people are joking and doing stupid things. I'm busy with my lawyers and we will write a letter to the NPL. They are not even giving me a chance to appeal,” Ngarizemo said. He was presented yesterday with a letter by the NPL disciplinary committee with clear statements that his club will be stripped of all their points and will no longer form part of the 2018/19 NPL season. This after they were found guilty of fraud and contravening NPL rules by fielding an ineligible player during the 2017/18 season.
On top of being kicked out of the top-flight, the club was also fined a total of N$50 000 for two offences - N$25 000 each - with payment to be made on or before the end of May 2019.
“Count 1: Fraud: In that on or about the 21 April 2017 and during the 2017/18 MTC premiership season and at Windhoek, Young African unlawfully and intentionally made a misrepresentation to the NPL and/or alternatively to the Namibia Football Association and/or alternatively to other members of the NPL, by registering a player with false identification details,” the letter reads.
It goes on to say that Young African contravened rule 52.4 of the NPL football manual on rules and regulations.
“In that on or during the 2017/18 MTC premiership season and at various football venues (Young) African did unlawfully and intentionally violate rule 52.4 of the NPL football manual on rules and regulations for corrupt, dishonest or unlawful practice in connection with matches played under the auspices of the league, or in connection with the affairs of the league, in that African FC utilised the services of a player who was not eligible to play.”
The letter also states the NPL had a hearing for the club and that they admitted guilt to both counts.
The club will forfeit all points accumulated in the matches the ineligible player played in. These points will be awarded to their opponents.
A source close to NPL said it's very sad that this has happened to the club, but the right processes had taken place.
“They were already told last year that this might happen, and it did, and so they were presented with the letter on black and white. They have a chance to appeal but as it stands they are relegated.”
Young African were occupying the 10th spot on the NPL log with eight points, and were scheduled to play Unam tomorrow afternoon.