PRISONS Service FC have condemned “the abhorrent display of lack of transparency and inconsistent application of the competition rules by the T&T Super League’s secretariat”, after they were initially adjudged as the champions of the 2019 Terminix Super League, only for that decision to be put on hold moments later.
Ferdinand Bibby, president of Prisons Service FC, issued a media release on Tuesday expressing their extreme disappointment.
On Sunday, the league’s competition manager, Richard Piper, issued a media release, at 6.21 pm, announcing Prisons were the 2019 champions after their game against Police FC, at the YTC Ground in Arouca, ended in a 2-2 draw. Prisons have a total of 29 points, four more than nearest challengers Bethel United, who have a game in hand.
However, at 6.50 pm on Sunday, the league sent another release, indicating Bethel were successful in appealing the disciplinary committee’s decision to award Police the win in their November 10 clash.
That game between Bethel and Police, which took place at the Mt Gomery Recreation Ground, ended 2-0 in Bethel’s favour. But Police protested the unfit conditions at the venue, and were later awarded a 3-0 win, by default, from the disciplinary committee.
Bethel's successful appeal now puts them just one point behind Prisons with a game against Matura ReUnited in the final round and a chance of leapfrogging into first place. Both Police FC and Prisons FC claimed to be in the dark about Bethel's appeal when they played to a draw on Sunday. A Police FC official on Tuesday told Newsday the club on Monday appealed the reversal of the disciplinary committee's ruling.
Prisons Service FC are now asking a few questions – when was Bethel’s appeal lodged and did it meet the required timelines stipulated by the league; when and where did this appeals committee meet and decide upon Bethel’s appeal; and why the decision of the appeals committee was only communicated to clubs the night after the final round of competition.
According to the club, “The Super League has displayed itself as a beacon for good governance but will be susceptible to despotism if negative behaviours are left unchecked when displayed.”
SOURCE: T&T Newsday
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Prison FC challenges Bethel’s Super League appeal.
By Walter Alibey (Guardian).
Upset over last-minute claims that Prison Service FC, with 29 points at the top of the standings, may not be the eventual winners of the Terminix Super League, the club’s president, Ferdinand Bibby, has called for clarification from the league on an appeal which could potentially snatch the title right out of their hands.
After Sunday’s 2-2 tie between Prison Service and Police, league organiser Richard Piper, in an email, had informed the media of the Prison’s triumph and congratulated the Arouca-based team for winning the title. Less than half-an-hour later, however, Piper sent out another email informing the media that Bethel United FC had won an appeal which took them to 28 points and could clinch the title if they beat Matura ReUnited in their final match at a date and time to be determined.
In a three-page document on Tuesday, however, Bibby called for transparency and clarity in the matter, saying it was causing distress among the affected clubs. In his letter of concern, Bibby asked: “When was Bethel United’s appeal lodged and did it meet the required timelines stipulated by the TTSL? When and where did this Appeals Committee meet and decided upon Bethel United’s appeal? and, Why the decision of the Appeals Committee was only communicated to clubs the night after the final round of the competition?”
According to Bibby, “It is clear that Piper, the Competition Manager, either wasn’t informed of the pending hearing of Bethel United’s appeal, or failed, or refused to inform the clubs of the fact prior to completion of the last round of football (with the obvious implication of the decision on the title race).”
He added, “If Piper, TTSL Competition Manager, didn’t know of Bethel United’s appeal then who knew? Peter Thomas, TTSL Secretary, is the official conduit of protests and appeals for the TTSL. Thomas was informed of the hearing of Bethel United’s appeal and failed or refused to inform Piper or the clubs of the fact of the pending appeal prior to completion of the last round of football (with the obvious implications of the decision on the title race).”