EL soccer bungles go on

THERE are many questions but far too few answers regarding the ongoing shenanigans between regional power SafaBuffalo City and its affiliate East London Central Local FA, but it would not be amiss to say the administrative side of local football is in a sorry state.

For the past two years these two soccer bodies have been at each others’ throats with things only getting worse as this week’s revelations show.

The trouble goes back to 2013 when Central apparently overplayed their hand with a delegation headed by the current and ostensibly suspended chairman, Gavin van Rooyen, urged members to boycott a Safa-Buffalo City congress where elections were being held. In a defiant move an alternative executive was formed, which raised the ire of Safa-BC.

Since then the relationship between these two bodies has continued to deteriorate and Van Rooyen faced a disciplinary hearing for his role in the rift.

He was found guilty and suspended for two years – a sanction which itself was suspended on condition he abide by Safa-BC rules.

He took the matter on appeal to the national Safa, for which the Central executive agreed to pay the R10 000 appeal fee from the body’s funds with apparent backing from the membership.

Things took another turn over the Easter weekend when Central, against the wishes of Safa-BC, ran their own tournament at North End stadium in opposition to the regional body’s tourney.

Further suspensions and countersuspensions followed. Central’s executive, along with 16 clubs, was suspended by Safa-BC for participating in the North End tournament.

This week Central booted out the Seagulls club for playing in the SafaBC tourney. Seagulls, who had already been suspended for playing in Central’s tournament, are crying foul, claiming victimisation.

Not so, says Van Rooyen, who says Central acted to technically safeguard Seagulls from any action by Safa-BC.

This must be one of the appalling series of administrative bungles in the history of the sport in this region. Questions must be answered as to why Safa-BC allowed Seagulls to play when they were a “suspended” affiliate?

And why is Van Rooyen still acting in the capacity of chairman when he is a “suspended” official?

Further, what of Central forking out R10 000 for an appeal fee? Surely this was a precedent-setting decision? And finally will anyone else who is suspended in future enjoy the same response?

It is clear the warring parties are flouting long-standing rules. Both should be held accountable for their conduct and for the sake of the sport the nonsense must stop.