Moetie slams ‘unfair’ NPL

By: SHEEFENI NIKODEMUS

BLACK Africa chairman Cassius Moetie has accused the Namibia Premier League of favouritism and incompetence in a scathing e-mail sent to league boss Johnny Johnson Doëseb on Monday.

Moetie said the League’s lack of action against African Stars, for their fans’ “trademark’’ can throwing celebratory antics in their season-opening 2-0 win over Orlando Pirates last Friday, showed the former champions are either untouchable or the NPL is not capable of implementing their rules.
Mayhem erupted after Stars took the lead through Tara Katupose, as all sorts of undesirable objects rained onto the field, prompting match officials to suspend proceedings for 15 minutes before the match could restart.
“I hope there are no holy cows in the NPL, those that are your favourites and that receive preferential treatment at the expense of others,” said Moetie.
He added that African Stars are “always” embroiled in fan trouble during big games, a fact that the league administrators are well aware of.
“What surprises us all is the fact that the League is aware who the culprits are, but the League prefers to turn a blind eye to this embarrassing incident of hooliganism that brings our beautiful game in disrepute.
“I have no doubt in my mind that this incident will accumulate dust and eventually disappear from the radar until the next similar incident happens. How will you handle the same kind of incident if any other club’s supporters do exactly the same thing?
“I will not expect that you take any action against any such club.”
In response, an irked Doëseb said the NPL had appointed Slysken Makando as league prosecutor to deal with such matters.
“I certainly do not wish to enter into a verbal contest with you nor do I wish to change your opinion if that is the way you have tuned your mind to operate,” Doëseb said.
“Would it perhaps not have been wise to ask how far that process is before casting aspersions and making unsavoury remarks about our capacity to take action against erring clubs and spectators?”
Doëseb said steps to curb hooliganism would be implemented from the second round of league matches. He also said Moetie was getting personal and “attacking my person and integrity”.
“By instituting interim measures against the bringing of objects onto the field, we have not said we will stop investigations into the incidents of last Friday. We will continue with our investigations and take appropriate action as prescribed by the League Prosecutor.
“However, bear in mind that by expressing misgivings against a body that you are supposed to be part of speaks volumes of your own commitment to the development of the game of football.”

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