Mujib Kasule has bashed FUFA and the Uganda Premier League for continued docking of points from teams in the top division.
The Proline FC director who is also the coach of the side said this in reaction to the decision by the FUFA Disciplinary Committee to dock Kirinya Jinja SS one point and goal for behavior of its official, Hannington Kalyesubula.
According to the ruling, Kalyesubula verbally attacked match officials in the 1-0 defeat to Soana at Bugembe on November 4, 2017.
“If clubs are going to lose hard earned points in this manner, then there is no reason why we should play since a referee can just write in his report that you abused him and like that you lose points…,” read part of the missive by Kasule.
“It means that Fufa or UPL have the power to influence the positions of the league including who wins and who gets relegated,” he added.
In his submission, Kasule says Kirinya as a club was sentenced without being charged and also the docking of points means the club was punished for an offence they didn’t committee.
Using this decision for example this is what is wrong.
- Kirinya was sentenced without being charged.
- The club that was punished did not make any offence.
- Kalyesubula who allegedly committed the offence was not punished. Therefore if Kalyesubula was not guilty, how can the club be?
- Neither Kirinya nor the coaches were heard before the sanctions (principle of natural justice)
- Where is the evidence that was relied on or is it the case of the referee is final
- If coach Mbuzi (Charles Ayiekoh) was consistently arguing with the referee and contesting each decision, why didn’t the referee send him off because he has the powers unless he realized after reaching home.
- The standard punishments in such a situation are
- a) Warning
- b) Fine
- c) Suspension
- d) A combination of two or all the above.
I think if the offence is of an individual nature, those individuals should be punished but not the club.
Earlier this season, SC Villa were docked two points and as many goals following fans’ violence at St. Mary’s stadium, Kitende against Vipers.
They also had team manager Muhammad Jjumba suspended for four matches while goalkeeper Samson Kirya also banned for two matches.