Sowetan

Kit mistake could cost Jomo

Non-arrival of gear and cards likely to hand walkover win to All Stars

- By Sihle Ndebele

Jomo Cosmos are on the brink of losing a game they never played – thanks to their own amateurish mistake.

Ezenkosi’s National First Division match against Cape Town All Stars was abandoned last week because Cosmos’ playing kit and registrati­on cards did not arrive at the match venue in Parow Park.

Now the match could be declared a walk-over in favour of Stars, as per the PSL rules governing abandoned games.

Rule 15.2 on teams arrival at the ground states: “Where a match is not played because of the late or non-arrival of a member club team, or of both teams, the offending member club will be charged with misconduct.”

Rule 15.3 says: “Where a club is found guilty in terms of Rule 15.2, its opponent in that match will receive a walk-over (a 3-0 win), unless the disciplina­ry committee considers that a different sanction may be more appropriat­e.”

Regarding registrati­on cards, the rule says: “A member club which does not produce the identity registrati­on cards will be charged with misconduct.”

PSL’s Lux September said the matter was now in the hands of the prosecutor.

“The matter is now being handled by an independen­t prosecutor and the PSL will not have any influence on the ruling,” September said.

Eighth-placed Ezenkosi are three points off the play-off spot and losing three points would put a damper on their promotion hopes.

All Stars coach Patrick Mabedi, meanwhile, was left frustrated by the abandonmen­t of last week’s game.

“It’s frustratin­g. We had been preparing for this match during the internatio­nal break,” said Mabedi.

The abandonmen­t means All Stars will not be in action until April 14 – when they host Mbombela United. Cosmos boss Jomo Sono confirmed their kit did not arrive on time in Cape Town, but it was unclear why this was the case.

Its frustratin­g. We prepared for this match during the internatio­nal break

 ?? / LEFTY SHIVAMBU/GALLO IMAGES ?? Tebogo Makobela of Cosmos and Phumlani Ntshangase of Wits during Nedbank Cup .
/ LEFTY SHIVAMBU/GALLO IMAGES Tebogo Makobela of Cosmos and Phumlani Ntshangase of Wits during Nedbank Cup .

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