Mangere United eyes tribunal
Mangere United is to take a case against Auckland Football to the Sports Tribunal of New Zealand.
The move follows the decision by the football body’s disciplinary committee to deny Mangere’s appeal against playing an unregistered player.
The initial ruling cost Mangere 14 points, anchoring them at the bottom of the division one table and threatening to see the Centre Park-based club relegated to division two. They have seven days to appeal the latest decision.
Mangere vice-president Iliyas Daud says the club is disappointed with the decision.
‘‘The matter is with our lawyers who are preparing to present a case to the Sports Tribunal.’’
On the field Mangere is making every effort to play their way out of relegation danger, a position they share with Papakura City and Franklin United.
They were beaten 4-3 by Oratia last Saturday but remain two points behind Papakura and Franklin with four games to play.
The first of those is against Manurewa at Centre Park in Mangere on Saturday. That match coincides with a crucial encounter between Papakura and Franklin at McLennan Park in Papakura.
Manurewa scored a valuable 1-0 win over Papakura at War Memorial Park last Saturday, a result that sees them knocking on the door of promotion to the premier league.
Kevin Fallon’s Manukau City are now perched on top of the division one table. They have a twopoint lead over Takapuna with a game in hand.
They got there with a 7-0 away win over Claudelands Rovers and the assistance of Te Atatu who dumped Takapuna 3-1 in West Auckland.
They have a bye this round and will return to action against fourth placed Fencibles in round 20. Their final two games are against Te Atatu and Papatoetoe AFC who face Takapuna on Saturday.
Papatoetoe scored a 2-0 win over Northland last Saturday as Onehunga Mangere drew 2-2 with Ngaruawahia.