Africa-Press – Eswatini. The much-anticipated start of the 2022/2023 Premier League season has been thrown into disarray.
This follows the decision by two elite clubs Rangers and Milling Hotspurs to formally challenge their relegation from the elite league after their lawyer served the Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) with a letter of demand on this issue.
The PLE had initially confirmed that the new season was supposed to start on October 1 but the latest developments mean that this is likely to be postponed indefinitely.
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. Four clubs were relegated from the premier division in the past season.
‘The two (2) clubs that have the least number of points on completion of the league and or positioned 15th and (16) 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.
Through their lawyer, Linda Dlamini & Associates, the two clubs have not only written to the PLE challenging their relegation but given the organisation until today to respond or else they would 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 to the PLE.
PLE Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Kenneth Makhanya confirmed to have received the correspondence in question.
“We received the correspondence in relation to the matter earlier today (yesterday) and we will respond in due course,” he said.
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