BONGANI MALUNGA
Township Rollers have challenged the Chief Prosecutor’s charges of “bringing the game into disrepute” (among three total charges) in relation to the infamous stand-off and confusion during the second leg of the Mascom Top 8 semifinals against Gaborone United.
The game between GU and Rollers ended 2-0 in regulation time, the teams then went to extra time and the game ended 3-1 in favour of Moyagoleele. Rollers were of the view that since they had scored an away goal in extra time they should be declared the winners, there was a long pause as the game was halted for nearly 30 minutes.
As a result, the Chief Prosecutor charged Rollers with three counts of misconduct, ranging from refusing to promptly participate and play the game when directed by the referee at the end of extra time, a section of the club’s supporters is also accused of assaulting referees by throwing objects at them and blocking their entry to the changing rooms after the game. The third and final charge was in relation to the club’s officials refusing to obey the referee’s orders of declaring a penalty shoot out.
Rollers were officially charged with the three counts of misconduct last month and the club has denied all three charges in response to the office of the Chief Prosecutor. In a defiant response, Rollers wrote a letter to the Botswana Football Association Chief Executive Officer, Mfolo Mfolo, seeking to be furnished with a copy of the referee’s report, match commissioner’s report and the full recording of the broadcasting of the game.