Africa-Press – Gambia. The Brikama Sports Committee (BSC) has announced the cancellation of its summer Nawettan fixture scheduled on Wednesday, citing security concerns raised by match officials.
The match between Kutajonbul FC and Senior Players was called off after the referee declined to officiate, despite the presence of BSC’s official security team.
In a statement, the Committee emphasized that its Security Unit consists of experienced personnel, many of whom are current or former state security officers with over a decade of service. The team also includes three GFF/CAF-certified safety and security officers trained in matchday safety protocols.
The Committee noted that they had received instructions from the West Coast Referees Association to either engage the Police or deploy their own internal security team. In compliance, BSC opted for its internal arrangement, providing uniforms and reflective jackets for visibility and proper identification a system that has successfully facilitated several matches without incident.
However, on Wednesday, a new directive from the Referees Association required the presence of Police or a Karate group for match security. With short notice, the Committee could not meet this additional requirement. As a result, the match officials refused to proceed, forcing the cancellation of the game.
The Committee reassured stakeholders of its continued commitment to safety, order, and the smooth running of the Nawettan tournament. “We are engaging with all relevant parties to address this matter and ensure similar disruptions do not occur in future fixtures,” the statement added.
The cancellation underscores ongoing challenges in balancing matchday security protocols with operational logistics in local football competitions, a reminder of the critical role of clear coordination between committees and referees.
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