Tenax Football Club has come out guns blazing after the Eastern Region Soccer League (ERSL) dethroned them from the summit of the log and eventual premier soccer league qualification after awarding Bikita Minerals three points following the use of an unregistered player by Grayham FC.
The league concluded with Tenax leading the pack and waiting to be crowned ERSL Champions and “gain” automatic qualification to the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) with 59 points.
However, there was a pending disciplinary case involving second placed Bikita Minerals.
The ERSL deferred the conferment of the of the champions due the pending matter. Allegations were that Grayham Football Club had used an unregistered player in their match against Bikita Minerals.
The matter was set down on the 25th of November and a decision was reached.
“The ERSL board convened a meeting on Saturday 25 November 2023 at Golden Peacock Hotel in Mutare to deliberate on the matter and all the involved parties were present.
ERSL board carefully went through all the written submissions and oral presentations from involved parties”, read the statement by the Eastern Region Soccer League.
The board found Grayham FC guilty and deducted three points from them.
The board went on to award the three points to Bikita Minerals thus changing the log standings.
“The awarding of three points to Bikita Minerals FC changed the log standing which then makes Bikita Minerals log leaders and eventually becoming 2023 ERSL champions”, read the statement.
Tenax has post on X formerly twitter alleging underhand dealings in the handling of the matter.
“It is very unfortunate that we have to stoop this low in football.
#Rationality must win #FairPlay must win #Professionalism should win.
No to match fixing and Results manipulation in football”, read Tenax’s response to the decision of the ERSL on X.
Tenax went on to attach a copy of “rules and regulations” which stipulates that on such offences the guilty party loses three points but the opposing party is not awarded the three points.
If Tenax’s assertion is correct it means they remain champions and must be promoted to the PSL.
Efforts to get hold of the ERSL board were futile as the phone number continuously rang without being answered.
As it stands Tenax will again be playing Division one soccer unless the decision is overturned by higher authorities.
