The Appeals Committee of The Gambia Football Federation (GFF) has dismissed Red Scorpions` appeal case and upheld the decision of the Organising Committee to relegate the team from the women football top flight, the Federation announced on Tuesday.
The team was relegated to the second division with some of its players banned after the players physically assaulted match officials, causing bodily harm, in a Football Federation Cup game against close rivals Interior FC almost two weeks ago.
The GFF announced the Appeals Committee’s decision to upheld Red Scorpions relegation in a press release sent to Observer Sports Desk.
The release reads:
On the 22nd April 2016, a first division female FF Cup game took place at the Serrekunda East Mini Stadium between Red Scorpions F.C and Interior F.C. At the end of the game, the Match officials came under physical attack from the players and officials of Red Scorpions and as a result they suffered injuries and had to be taken to Fajikunda health centre for treatment.
The Organising Committee of the GFF held a meeting on the 27th April, 2016 and found that Red Scorpions F.C were solely responsible for the ugly and unfortunate incident. Accordingly, the Organising Committee in accordance with Article 26 (b) of the GFF Disciplinary Code imposed a 12 month ban on a number of Red Scorpions players for assaulting the match officials.
In addition, the Organising Committee acting in accordance with Article 29 (b) of the GFF Disciplinary Code imposed a fine of ten thousand dalasis (D10, 000) on Red Scorpions F.C and relegated them to Second tier of the National Women’s League for bringing the game into disrepute.
In reaction, Red Scorpions FC filed an appeal against decision of the Organising Committee to the GFF Appeals Committee. The two grounds of appeal relied on were that- Article 29 of the Disciplinary Code, which the Organising Committee relied on, does not categorically provide the sanctions imposed on the Club; and a plea for leniency because the sanctions are harsh.
Thereafter, the Appeals Committee convened a meeting on Friday 6th May 2016 to consider the appeal. The Appeals Committee considered the following documents in arriving at its decision- the central referees match report; the Match Commissioner`s report; the letter conveying the decision of the Organising Committee; the Red Scorpion FC appeal letter with a receipt evidencing payment of the appeal fee of five thousand dalasis (D5, 000); the GFF Rules and Regulations of Competitions; and the GFF Disciplinary Code.
Appeal ground 1
On the first ground of appeal, the Appeal Committee examined the provisions of Article 29(b) of the Disciplinary Code which provides that apart from the minimum D5,000 fine, “further sanctions may be imposed in the case of serious offences”. The category of sanctions which may be imposed on natural and legal persons is provided for in article 8 of the Disciplinary Code. Under article 8(3), the sanctions which may be imposed on legal persons include relegation to a lower division under paragraph (i). Accordingly, the Appeals Committee held that the sanctions imposed on Red Scorpions F.C are legally valid.
Appeal ground 2
On the second ground of appeal, the Appeal Committee considered all the circumstances surrounding the incident as reported in the Referee and Match Commissioner`s report. Both reports indicated that the action of Red Scorpions was unprovoked, deliberate, malicious and grossly unsporting. The Committee could find no mitigating circumstance to vary the verdict of the Organising Committee.
Therefore, the Appeals Committee dismisses Red Scorpions` appeal and upholds the decision of the Organising Committee.
Going thoroughly through the referee and match commissioner`s reports, the Appeals Committee found that the Red Scorpions Head Coach and Assistant Coach Choro Mbenga and Dodou Faye were alleged to have joined in the attack against the match officials. The match commissioner also reported the unprofessional behavior of the Referee Assessor who was openly pointing out the “errors” of the central referee during the match. However the Organising Committee failed to deal with those persons.
Accordingly, the Appeals Committee hereby refers the cases of the Head Coach and Assistant Coach of Red Scorpions to the Organising Committee and the Referees Association respectively for their urgent consideration and action.”
by Alieu Ceesay