MORE DRAMA IN WANDERERS SAGA: ‘WESLIANS’ GIVE EFA ULTIMATUM

MBABANE – They want a time frame!

Manzini Wanderers, through their legal representatives SM Jele Attorneys, wrote to the Eswatini Football Association (EFA) through the Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) to demand a date of resolving their issue. Wanderers want to be included in the Premier League fixture programme after the court ruled in their favour in the protest they had lodged against relegated Denver Sundowns Skipper Jimoh Moses. Two days ago, the PLE Executive Committee wrote to the EFA to seek clarity on the court ruling. The PLE Executive Committee (Exco) was reacting to Judge Mumcy Dlamini’s judgment on the marathon relegation battle involving Wanderers and Denver Sundowns.  Judge Dlamini passed her judgement, last Friday.

Dismissing

The judge, after hearing the parties, ordered that the decision of the first respondent (Chairman of the EFA Appeals Board) dismissing the applicant’s appeal, be reviewed and set aside. The judge declared that on May 19, 2024, Jimoh Moses was an ineligible player and therefore disqualified to play the match scheduled against the applicant on that day. Dlamini also said the second and fifth respondents (Chairman of the EFA Appeals Board and EFA) were ordered to do all act(s) necessary to remedy the irregularities of May 19, 2024. The PLE, reacting to the court order convened an urgent ExCo meeting at the Sigwaca House, two days ago, to deliberate on the order. The ExCo then wrote to the EFA seeking clarity on how to deal with the matter. EFA was a respondent in the matter.

The ExCo also informed the EFA that Wanderers requested to be included in the matches under the PLE banner despite that Moneni Pirates lodged an appeal against the court. The ‘Weslians’, through their legal representatives requested that the EFA provide them with a turnaround time of when the issue will be clarified or resolved. “This is mainly because our client is of the view that the matter is extremely urgent,” reads an extract of the letter.

Concern

They disclosed that they were instructed that Wanderers noted the concern brought by the appeal lodged by the ‘Sea Robbers’ of Moneni. “The noting of the appeal has the effect of also suspending Moneni Pirates matches. Should our client succeed on the appeal, Pirates stands to be relegated,” reads the letter. Pirates can finish behind Wanderers, if the latter are to be awarded three points.  This will mean Moneni should be relegated, as per the past season’s standings.  The ‘Moneni’ Buccaneers filed an appeal, as they are an interested party in the matter. In the petition to EFA, Wanderers expressed concern that the appeal could be delayed, as it would follow the normal process.

“Should our client await the appeal, they will suffer irreparable harm, which cannot be remedied after the hearing of the appeal some time in 2025. We hope you treat the matter with the urgency it deserves,” concluded the letter. Meanwhile, EFA through the office of the Marketing and Communications Officer, Muzi ‘Rhoo’ Radebe, said they had received a letter from the PLE. “We have received the letter, which we will take to the relevant structures within the organisation,” Radebe said.

He, however, did not clarify the relevant structures he was referring to, as there are many bodies in the organisation. According to a football expert, a win-win situation, under the current situation, is a 15-team league that can be endorsed by EFA. Apparently, according to the expert, Pirates are ready to withdraw the appeal, if their place in the Premier League will be guaranteed. Under a 15-team league, one team can be standby every week, and reports suggest the ‘floating’ side can play midweek.

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