FC Hout Bay has thrown ‘The Book’ at the football’s governing body, Safa Cape Town.
This follows the fixture debacle of an outstanding Hollywoodbets Third Division match against Goal50 United, which was eventually called off – compounding the misery of the coastal team which is already in a precarious (last) position on the log and battling to save its status.
FC Hout Bay secretary Lionel Louw (pictured) claims that the Goodhope LFA, as well as the incompetence of Safa CT, is to blame for the current situation.
According to Louw they informed Safa CT from the get-go about the situation regarding their outstanding (home) fixture against Goal50 United that was initially scheduled for 15 March at 20:00 – but due to cable theft (no lights) this match was to be replayed at a later date.
Louw explained to No Bones with Jones. “This was a catch-up fixture and we communicated to our LFA and sent them the correspondence as they were not aware of the Sunday fixture until a week prior to Reyaad (Joseph), the General Secretary of Safa CT, sending out the fixtures. Our LFA informed us that it was out of the question for Sunday (14 April) due to the fact that they already have their LFA fixtures planned.
“We subsequently informed Reyaad of our situation and that we are unable to host the game for the Sunday as it clashed with our LFA’s schedule and the field was not available.
“Reyaad’s reply was that the game must take place and we said that we are well aware because it was a catch-up fixture and we were already behind schedule, you know.
“We were fully aware it had to take place either way… but like I said, it could not happen on Sunday as we had no field available. He insisted that it should stand for Sunday past.
“We then asked how that would be possible since we did not have a venue and our LFA had a full program. We tried an alternative venue that is listed on Safa CT’s list at Hangberg.
“Safa CT came back to say that those fields are not up to standard and therefore they won’t send officials to the venue.This we also don’t understand because two seasons ago we were playing at the same venue and it was deemed okay.
“Since then nothing has changed at that venue but now all of a sudden it wasn’t good enough. How did it pass two years ago but now it is not suitable and up to standard? Anyway, we tried to compromise to see what alternative venue we could use and we were in communication with Goal50 to see if we could arrange for Tuesday (16 April).
“That, however, has not been confirmed as we are still waiting on feedback from our LFA for the Ocean View venue which also was unavailable to us. So we tried everything on our side. The officials arrived on Sunday along with Goal50 and obviously we were not there and the game was blown off,” he added.
Louw questioned why the region did not implement its laws on which they are so “holy” about.
“We know Safa CT is big on the laws and rules of the game. According to uniform rule 5.5.3- why did they not implement this rule? Since both the home ground and alternative home ground were not available or suitable?”
Louw pointed out that they have been let down by the Mother body and feel their club is being targeted. “I think it is because it is us,” Louw further stated.
“If this was any other team from the IY community they would definitely not be treated the same way when it comes to LFA allowing them to make use of the field for regional fixtures. And I feel this is the case with Safa CT as well.
“They were fully aware of this matter, and after informing them we were simply being denied usage (of the field). How can they still insist that the fixture should stand and proceed at the venue? If this was a matter of ” the fixture MUST happen” why could SAFA CT not move it to a neutral venue?
“Last season we had an incident where a supporter put the lives of the match officials in danger and they immediately took action and moved our home fixture to Hanover Park. So, my question here is… why did SAFA CT insist the fixture should proceed at a venue that they know is not available?
“My million dollar question is where was the match blown off (officially) if there were fixtures taking place at the IY Sports Complex? On which field was Goal50 and the officials? How could they blow off a game if there were no fields available? If they can answer me that then perhaps I can also understand how we default the game,” Louw concluded.
Meanwhile Safa CT president Bennett Bailey shared their version on the issue with No Bones with Jones: “I’ve checked with the office and to date we haven’t received any complaint from anybody. That’s our position.”
Goodhope LFA’s big boss Dali Fekenisi was approached for comment but waived his right of reply.
