Sikhumbuzo Moyo

THE Premier Soccer League has summoned Chicken Inn coach Rahman Gumbo to its disciplinary committee for causing the abandonment of his side’s Chibuku Super Cup clash against Yadah FC which was played at Ascot Stadium last month.

In what has however been seen as double standards by the PSL, the revered Gumbo is being charged for violating Oder 31 of the  Castle Lager Premier Soccer League  Rules and Regulations despite the ‘offence’ having been committed during a Chibuku Super Cup which naturally must have its own rules and regulations. How the league decided to invoke Castle Lager Premier Soccer League Rules and Regulations  in a cup tournament remains a mystery and also flies in the face of the league that decided to take the cup game to Ascot Stadium despite Chicken Inn’s home ground being registered as Luveve Stadium in terms of the same Rules and Regulations Order 16.

The GameCocks are on record saying they were not consulted when their home advantage was taken away.

According to the summons signed by the league’s chief executive officer Kennedy Ndebele, Gumbo violated PSL’s Oder 31.4 which states that it is an act of misconduct on the part of an official, where the said official causes the abandonment of a match.

“You are therefore required to appear before the Disciplinary Committee at the offices of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League on19th October, 2017 at 5PM. You are not entitled to legal representation at the disciplinary hearing but if you are duly registered player with the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League, the vice chairman of the club with which you are registered may attend and assist you during proceedings,” read the summons to Gumbo.

The Chicken Inn gaffer is expected to submit in writing within two days upon receipt of the summons his response, failure of which another disciplinary hearing may be called.

Gumbo is being summoned following the referee’s report which cited him as having instructed his players to leave the field of play after a penalty was awarded deep into the match.

“The Chicken Inn head coach Gumbo instructed his players to leave the field of play before the penalty kick could be taken in what appeared to be a protest of my decision to award the penalty,” reads part of the referee’s report, in possession of Chronicle Sport.

The PSL’s Ad Hoc committee has since awarded the match to Yadah FC on a 3-0 scoreline and fined Chicken Inn $2 000 with the Gamecocks also told that they will not be taking part in the 2018 edition of the tournament in terms of the Chibuku Super Cup rules and regulations.

@skhumoyo2000