Township Rollers has accused the Botswana Football League (BFL) of encroaching on their affairs.
This comes after the BFL general secretary Solomon Ramochotlhwane suspended Rollers’ security officer, Motlatsi Montsi from all BFA activities pending his appearance before the Botswana Football Association Disciplinary Committee (BFA DC).
With the title race heating up, the suspension of the Rollers’ security officer has set tongues wagging, with some saying ‘it is influenced by another force within the system in a bid to destabilise Rollers.
Montsi is accused of having used abusive language and gesturing in a violent way against the committee that is investigating events surrounding the match between Rollers and Gaborone United last month.
Talking to Sunday Standard sport, Ramochotlhwane said they have suspended Montsi basing on article 12.1 of the Botswana Football Association Play rules and Regulations.
According to the clause, ‘all cases of violence shall be submitted for hearing to the Disciplinary Committee by the Secretary General within 10 days. Provided that any player or club official reported to have been involved in such violence shall be automatically suspended from all BFA activities pending hearing of the case by BFA disciplinary committee.’
Reacting to the suspension, Rollers’ public relations officer (PRO) Bafana Pheto said it was unwarranted.
“We believe the league used emotions to suspend Montsi. He did not warrant to be suspended without his employer (Rollers) being notified of what he has done,” Pheto said.
The outspoken Rollers PRO further observed that there has never been any reported case of violence and says he believes the league’s interpretation of the clause is wrong.
“Montsi is not an official of Rollers. He is an employee of the team. That is why he does not have a membership because he doesn’t need to have one. He cannot be suspended on clause that talks of players, officials and structures,” charged Pheto.
According to him the BFL has failed to give examples of the alleged abusive words purported to have been used by Montsi. He also said they sought to understand the alleged offensive gestures he is accused to have used.
With things heating up, Pheto has implored Rollers community to continue rallying behind the team while they attend to Montsi’s matter. Meanwhile, a source within the BFL says the committee had written to the league asking to talk to Montsi to cooperate with them and appear before it to give evidence.
