DECEMBER 2000 SPORT HEADLINES

Wednesday, January 17, 2001 - Web posted at 9:01:33 AM GMT

League disputes nearly over
HELGE SCHUTZ

THE drawn-out appeal cases which dogged the Windhoek Premier League last season are nearing an end, with just one more case to be decided upon before the final log standings can be announced.

According to a spokesman of the Premier League, all the outstanding cases have been finalised except the case between Chelsea and African Stars, which is expected to be completed before the end of the week.

The appeals committee of the Premier League last week ruled in favour of Young Ones in their disputes with Blue Waters and Eleven Arrows.

Young Ones beat Blue Waters and drew with Eleven Arrows in these matches, but the coastal clubs objected, claiming that Young Ones' goalkeeper Danzyl Bruwer had not been registered properly.

The appeals committee ruled in favour of Young Ones, who now get four extra points.

The spokesman, however, said that Young Ones would not get the points in their appeal against Orlando Pirates.

In that case Pirates had not prepared their field adequately for the match against Young Ones and the disciplinary committee ruled that the match be replayed, which Pirates won.

Young Ones appealed, but the appeals committee upheld the decision of the disciplinary committee.

Although the Premier League could not provide the final log standings for last season, Blue Waters are now assured of winning the league, while Young Ones have consolidated their position as league runners-up.

Meanwhile, the promotion-relegation matches that were supposed to take place this weekend, will now probably only take place next weekend.

The Namibia Football Association has held a special meeting on the issue, but could not be reached for comment.

Earlier, however, NFA member Barry Rukoro said that the promotion-relegation matches would probably be postponed for a week so that "things would not be rushed".

Eleven Arrows, which finished third last in the Premier League, will be involved in promotion-relegation matches against the second-placed teams from the four zonal first divisions.

They are Benfica of the Far North, Katima Wanderers from the North East, Hotflames of Central West and Friends of the Southern Zone.

Only the overall winner of the play-offs will have a place in the Premier League.

The winners of last season's four zonal first divisions have automatically gained promotion to this season's Premier League, which will now consist of 16 teams.

They are KK Palace from the Far North, United Stars of the North East, Ramblers of Central West and Bee Bob Brothers from the South.

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