Saturday, February 8, 2025

Rollers’ misconduct case postponed

Township Rollers case of misconduct was on Monday postponed to today (Wednesday).

Rollers are yet to appear before the Botswana Football League disciplinary committee for registering Onkarabile Ratanang outside the transfer window.  Ratanang’s case has tarnished the image of the local football.

Two Rollers officials were suspended from football while the Botswana Football Association (BFA) opened a case of fraud with the Botswana Police Service. Former competitions manager was reported at FIFA for abuse of the FIFA connect system that is used to register players.

When the BFL chief executive officer, Solomon Ramochotlhwane was asked why the case was postponed from Monday to Wednesday he said: “On Friday Rollers wrote to us raising points of law and we could only reply on Monday. We have since replied them and the case was rescheduled to Wednesday.”

According to the BFL CEO, Rollers’ conviction was that the BFL had no jurisdiction to hear their case. “We have since addressed their thinking and we are expecting them on Wednesday to appear before the BFLDC.

“They have been charged with misconduct for the infringement of the statutes. They breached article 5.1 of the BFL disciplinary code.  Rollers have infringed on the Botswana football association and the FIFA statutes. Hence they are charged with misconduct,” explained Ramochotlhwane.

The seven member BFL DC committee is chaired by Dr Kealeboga Bojosi.

The BFL DC schedule ahead is packed. The BFL DC is to hear a matter of Rollers Royal Arena overcrowding and pitch invasion during their match with Gaborone United. Rollers were the host and the stadium was overcrowded against the active health protocols that were in place to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

Morupole coach, Daniel Chico Nare is also yet to appear before the BFL DC for utterances he made after the match against the match officials which were deemed inappropriate by the league.  His players together with players from Masitaoka are to appear for misconduct after fighting over ‘muti’.

 Sua Flamingoes goal keeper coach is also destined to appear before the DC committee for misconduct.

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