Football playoffs in limbo

THE Namibia Football Association (NFA) has warned that first-division teams which have declared a dispute and who are now ditching the promotion playoffs for the proposed Southern Stream league, will automatically relegate themselves to the second division.

Tough-talking NFA official Eric Hansen told The Namibian Sport yesterday that teams which are not interested competing at the playoffs, which are scheduled to take place at the Mariental Sports Stadium this weekend, will be expelled from the first division. The teams of the Nationwide Central West First Division have declared a dispute and asked the Namibia Sport Commission (NSC) to intervene in what looks like an explosive affair that might do more damage to the already-dented image of the game in the country.In fact, the playoffs were expected to see 12 teams competing last weekend already, but the NFA called it off after teams refused to play, claiming that the NFA were flouting rules and regulations in calling to life the new Southern Stream league.The teams argue that the NFA did not adhere to a specified period in which they were supposed to inform the involved teams on the structure, according to its constitution.At the same time, some teams expressed concerns about the outstanding monies of last season owed to them by the football authorities.Nine teams this week attended a meeting and declared a dispute, vowing not to play the matches before those matters are addressed, but the NFA is forging ahead with the matches as some teams have confirmed that they will be playing.Initially, the NFA executive committee decided at its meeting held on August 28 last year to consolidate the Nationwide Central West First Division and the Southern Zone to form the Southern Stream and have 12 teams altogether.Hansen said the teams are bound by the decision that was taken by the executive committee after extensive consultations with the regional chairpersons in the past.”They have to play the matches, otherwise they will relegate themselves to the second division.We had various discussions and we explained the new format to the respective teams in the two divisions and I don’t see any reason why they should behave in that manner,” he said.When asked about the dispute and the clubs’ appeal to the Namibia Sport Commission for help, Hansen said the NSC had no right to take issue with the NFA regarding the playoffs.”The only people who can intervene is Fifa, as we are not answerable to the NSC when it comes to our rules and regulations towards clubs in the leagues,” he said.An official from the NWCFD said he was disappointed with the attitude of the NFA officials in pushing for the games to be played while all the parties have not reached a consensus.Another said the NFA was digging its own grave as they will end up not having any teams interested in playing in their newly structured league.”They need to listen to the clubs and stop bulldozing things, because it is not in the interest of the game and it also puts them in a bad light as they have contravened their own rules,” he said.*Meanwhile, the arbitration case involving Life Fighters and the Namibia Premier League (NPL) has not moved an inch since the NFA executive tried to “speed up the process” late last week.NFA Secretary General Alpheus Gaweseb confirmed yesterday that there had not been much progress in resolving the longstanding issue, but said that they were still looking at “various alternatives to put the case to rest”.The delay in solving this case by September 3, is bound to delay the kick-off of the league.The teams of the Nationwide Central West First Division have declared a dispute and asked the Namibia Sport Commission (NSC) to intervene in what looks like an explosive affair that might do more damage to the already-dented image of the game in the country.In fact, the playoffs were expected to see 12 teams competing last weekend already, but the NFA called it off after teams refused to play, claiming that the NFA were flouting rules and regulations in calling to life the new Southern Stream league.The teams argue that the NFA did not adhere to a specified period in which they were supposed to inform the involved teams on the structure, according to its constitution.At the same time, some teams expressed concerns about the outstanding monies of last season owed to them by the football authorities.Nine teams this week attended a meeting and declared a dispute, vowing not to play the matches before those matters are addressed, but the NFA is forging ahead with the matches as some teams have confirmed that they will be playing.Initially, the NFA executive committee decided at its meeting held on August 28 last year to consolidate the Nationwide Central West First Division and the Southern Zone to form the Southern Stream and have 12 teams altogether.Hansen said the teams are bound by the decision that was taken by the executive committee after extensive consultations with the regional chairpersons in the past.”They have to play the matches, otherwise they will relegate themselves to the second division.We had various discussions and we explained the new format to the respective teams in the two divisions and I don’t see any reason why they should behave in that manner,” he said.When asked about the dispute and the clubs’ appeal to the Namibia Sport Commission for help, Hansen said the NSC had no right to take issue with the NFA regarding the playoffs.”The only people who can intervene is Fifa, as we are not answerable to the NSC when it comes to our rules and regulations towards clubs in the leagues,” he said.An official from the NWCFD said he was disappointed with the attitude of the NFA officials in pushing for the games to be played while all the parties have not reached a consensus.Another said the NFA was digging its own grave as they will end up not having any teams interested in playing in their newly structured league.”They need to listen to the clubs and stop bulldozing things, because it is not in the interest of the game and it also puts them in a bad light as they have contravened their own rules,” he said.*Meanwhile, the arbitration case involving Life Fighters and the Namibia Premier League (NPL) has not moved an inch since the NFA executive tried to “speed up the process” late last week.NFA Secretary General Alpheus Gaweseb confirmed yesterday that there had not been much progress in resolving the longstanding issue, but said that they were still looking at “various alternatives to put the case to rest”.The delay in solving this case by September 3, is bound to delay the kick-off of the league.