Heartland FC Contravened CAF Rule In Botched Fixture
Published: April 10, 2013
Heartland of Owerri could not play against US Bitam in the CAF Confederation Cup on Saturday after they arrived Gabon late. As things stand, continental football regulator, CAF will now rule on the outcome of the botched fixture.
The Cameroonian match commissioner declared that US Bitam had walked over the Nigerians as they were not at the stadium when the game was due to kick off.
Heartland had sent a letter to the Gabon Federation on Wednesday, April 3 pleading to postpone the tie because of travel difficulties.
But CAF rules state that such correspondence must reach the host country at least 72 hours before the scheduled meeting.
''The letter requesting the postponement of the match for Sunday, April 7, sent by the Nigerian team Heartland is dated Wednesday, April 3, but was sent on 5 April, one day before the meeting. It is not permissible.
"The Gabon Federation did not want the match to be postponed because, according to her, it was late. In case of force majeure, the two federations must agree to the match is postponed. We will send a report to CAF for the final decision,'' an official told Gabon Matin.
Algerians USM Alger will have to wait for CAF's decision to know their opponents in the round of 16.
The Cameroonian match commissioner declared that US Bitam had walked over the Nigerians as they were not at the stadium when the game was due to kick off.
Heartland had sent a letter to the Gabon Federation on Wednesday, April 3 pleading to postpone the tie because of travel difficulties.
But CAF rules state that such correspondence must reach the host country at least 72 hours before the scheduled meeting.
''The letter requesting the postponement of the match for Sunday, April 7, sent by the Nigerian team Heartland is dated Wednesday, April 3, but was sent on 5 April, one day before the meeting. It is not permissible.
"The Gabon Federation did not want the match to be postponed because, according to her, it was late. In case of force majeure, the two federations must agree to the match is postponed. We will send a report to CAF for the final decision,'' an official told Gabon Matin.
Algerians USM Alger will have to wait for CAF's decision to know their opponents in the round of 16.
Latest News
- Gift Orban replacement: Gent on brink of deal for tall Danish-Nigerian striker dubbed 'The New Onuachu'
- Spain youth team call-up for former Liverpool winger Elijah Gift; also eligible for Nigeria and Cuba
- Confirmed team news: Super Eagles defender Collins might miss Cardiff City v Southampton
- Photo: Trabzonspor striker Onuachu trains with special bandage ahead of potential return to action
- Transfer guru rules out possibility of 2021 Super Eagles invitee making a return to Chelsea this summer
- 'No one has ever said Chukwueze is poor' - Trevisani urges AC Milan winger to justify his transfer fee
- European competitions: Lookman, Tella, Boniface, Kayode, Onyedika, Iroegbunam advance to semifinals
- Meet Victoria Ezebinyuo: SC Freiburg's 2019 Euro U17 winner eligible for Super Falcons
- 'My mum is Nigerian' - Arsenal RB confirms he's eligible to play for Super Eagles, three other national teams
- 'He's a better finisher' - Ex-Everton forward makes big claim over Cyriel Dessers and Kemar Roofe
Football News 24/7
News Categories
- Football Betting
- African Players
- Australia/ Asia
- Belgian Championship
- Bundesliga
- Danish Football
- English Premier League
- Nigeria National Teams
- Nigeria Premier League
- Norwegian Football
- Polish Football
- Russian Championship
- Serie A
- Spanish Liga
- Swedish Championship
- Transfer
- Turkish Championship
- Ukrainian Football
- Uncategorized
- Women's Football