Players challenged to show “just cause” why they should not be charged
BONGANI MALUNGA
Botswana Premier League’s independent prosecutor Atang Latelang has notified Township Rollers pair Mthokozisi Msomi and Joel Mogorosi that their decision to take part in the Mascom Top 8 trophy celebration violated their respective bans from all forms of football.
Msomi and Mogorosi were handed bans for the infamous brawl in the league game against TAFIC in January, they were handed seven and 10 game bans respectively and ordered to stay away from any BFA related activities until their suspensions elapsed.
According to the conditions of the bans, the players are only allowed to be in the stands and not allowed to enter the field of play before, during or after any BFA recognized game. The BPL has maintained that the club and the players were notified of the rules that accompanied their suspensions.
Reached for comment, BPL Chief Executive Officer Thabo Ntshinogang stated that the players were given two days to respond to the Prosecutor’s correspondence and he confirmed that the players duly obliged by responding in time. However, he did not reveal the players’ response due to “the delicacy of the situation”. The ruling had warned the players of repercussions of not following the directives of the Disciplinary Committee’s orders.
“Kindly note that allowing any of the above mentioned players to partake in any BFA club related activities shall attract additional punishment in terms of the BFA Play Rules and Regulations,” the ruling stated. The above quote implies that the pair will ultimately face additional punishment if found guilty, the players have been challenged to show “just cause” why they should not be handed another punishment.