By Sabelo Gwebu | 2022-09-26

SOCCER – THE Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) did not respond to Rangers and Milling Hotspurs’ relegation conundrum ultimatum by the end of business yesterday.

As a result, the PLE will have to answer to the highest courts of the land as both sides through their lawyers, Linda Dlamini and Associates are challenging their relegation from the Premier League.

The lawyers are advised by their clients that according to the fixture released by the PLE Rangers and Milling have been fixtured to play in the National First Division yet in terms of the rules which they played under in the previous season they should not get the chop.   

The PLE confirmed recently that the new season will start on October 1.

The bone of contention by the two clubs is that the 2021/2022 MTN Premier League rules and regulations approved by the Eswatini Football Association (EFA) on October 28, 2021 stated clearly that two clubs shall be relegated. Noteworthy is that four clubs were relegated from the elite league in the past season.

Completion

“The two clubs that have the least number of points on completion of the league and or positioned 15th and 16th in the final log standing shall be relegated from the Premier League to the National First Division League. In determining the clubs to be relegated the format provided in Article 11(13), 11(4), 11(15), 11(16) herein shall be used,” reads Article 11.7 of the rules and regulations in part.

With no response from the PLE according to an impeccable source privy to information, the two clubs will now seek redress in court.

“We acknowledge receipt of your email (pertaining to an extract of the minutes of the Premier League of Eswatini AGM of the 13th Ultimo) of the 16 contents whereof have been noted. Clients have advised us that according to a fixture, they will play in the National First Division yet in terms of the rules in accordance with particularly Article 11(7) thereof, they do not fall within the teams to be relegated.

A copy of the relevant article referred to is annexed or attached hereto. Our instructions are to demand, as we hereby do, that you forthwith, at least by close of business by Wednesday, rectify your error failing which shall seek redress in court,” reads the correspondence directed to the PLE.

PLE Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Kenneth Makhanya did not answer his phone when several attempts were made to reach him last night.

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