SUNDOWNS CONFIRM RED LIONS PROTEST

MBABANE – Manzini Sundowns have confirmed their protest with the Premier League of Swaziland (PLS).

Sundowns argue that their last Sunday MTN league game against Red Lions was played outside the tournament’s rules and regulations. The match, eventually won by Red Lions via second half strikes from Elliot Lukhele and Solomon Oladele, started one hour 45 minutes later than the scheduled 1pm kick-off.

The delay of the game was caused by the unavailability of referees and Match Commissioner on the day, Gilbert Dlamini, saved the situation, promptly assigning the referees that were to handle the second game between Malanti Chiefs and Mbabane Highlanders. Sundowns Public Relations Officer (PRO) Muzi Matsenjwa confirmed the protest verification with the PLS on Wednesday.

“We have confirmed our protest with the PLS as the game was played outside the rules of the league but I cannot be drawn into details as the matter is now between the team and the organisation. It is now for the Disciplinary Committee’s deliberations,” Matsenjwa said.   

Article 5 (1) of the rules states that ‘referees shall report to the venue of the match at least one and half hour before the scheduled start of a match and that in the event one or two referees fail to show up 30 minutes before commencement of the match, the Match Commissioner and PLS official shall appoint substitute referees.’

Article 5 (2) provides that ‘If 15 minutes after the scheduled start of the match, all referees fail to arrive and the Match Commissioner or PLS official cannot provide substitute referees, they shall call off the match. The referees scheduled for that match shall be subject to disciplinary conduct in terms of the referee’s code of conduct.” 

Matsenjwa said their focus was not on the protest but the next game away to Manzini Sea Birds on Sunday.
“We have a good support base in Big Bend and our supporters must come in numbers. For our Manzini fans, transport leaves the George Hotel at noon on Sunday and the return ticket is E80. We are taking the last two games as cup finals as we are not entirely safe from the relegation chop,” he said.

Meanwhile, Sundowns will welcome back midfielder Mlamuli ‘Mlaba’ Nkambule from suspension while injured centre half Bongani Dlamini has fully recovered from injury.

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