Football clubs' representatives of Brikama Youth and Sports Committee have reacted angrily to the unconstitutional arrest and detention of colleague Buba Mbye-Bojang, former auditor of Brikama Youth and Sports Committee, who was fined for allegedly insulting an assistant referee when he was not a registered officer for Shell Border in 2008.
A two-page press release sent to Pointsport on Wednesday indicated that the fine was incorrect.
Below is the full text of the release
The team representatives of BYSC received with great shock and dismay the report of the arrest and detention of Buba Mbye Bojang, team reps auditor and former auditor of BYSC.
Going through the case, in accordance with our constitution, the team reps discovered that the committee has seriously erred and need to be put through for our own good.
The release further added that in 2008, Bojang was fined for allegedly insulting a referee when he was neither a registered player nor an officer but a football fan.
Therefore, the fine was incorrect as stated by the release.
Section 11.0.21 clearly stated that "Any fan or spectator who displays in the indiscipline manner to the referees, executive, or its appointed committee members shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a ban from entering the Mini-Stadium for the rest of that season."
Therefore Buba Mbye Bojang, been a fan could only be banned as highlighted in the above clause and no other clause could be used to justify the fine since the offence and penalty are clearly spelt out in section 11.0.21.
It is important to note that Mbye had stopped coming to the field for the rest of that season thus he had complied to keep the peace.
Secondly on the 13th October 2010, the executive committee of BYSC banned Bojang from entering the Mini-Stadium if he fails to pay the said fine of D200.00.
A. We have earlier on argued that the fine was incorrect on a fan.
B. Now that Buba Mbye Bojang is a registered officer of Shell Border FC and therefore the said fine cannot be binding on him since he did not commit the offence in his capacity as an officer.
C. Even if the fine has to stand, he is not entitled to a ban for failing to pay a fine neither shall he be dragged to Police.
To be sincere and generous to you please kindly refer to section 11.0.16 of our constitution
Any registered player or officer who displays indiscipline to the referees, executive or appointed committee members shall be guilty of an offence and liable to
A. Section 11.0.17 not exceeding two hundred dalasis or 11.0.18 suspension for a number of matches not exceeding for or 11.0.19 both fine and suspension.
Section 11.0.20 went further to state that if the fine above is not paid, in the case of a player, he or she shall not be qualified to play ensuing matches.
In the case of an officer, it shall be deducted from the team's gate takings.
The committee should simply deduct the fine from the team’s gate takings period but not to ban let alone to take him to police.
Thirdly, on the 14th October 2010. Buba Mbye Bojang was arrested, charged for trespass and instigating violence and put in cell.
After the charge, he was denied bail that night and detained for about 17 hours.
This action of the executive committee, the release added, is unfortunate, unethical, unconstitutional and a gross abuse of power which has no room in sports and even in any civilized society.
In the light of the above, we the undersigned team reps hereby resolved that
1. the executive committee acted wrongly on Buba Mbye Bojang's issue
2. The case against him (Mbye) is irrelevant and lacks merit.
3. The committee is therefore advised to withdraw it immediately in the spirit of sports.
4. The committee should apologize to Buba Mbye Bojang in writing within one week from today.
5. Buba Mbye Bojang shall not take up the case to further level if 3 and 4 above are met as agreed upon at the team representatives' meeting.
6. The constitution should always guide our actions and need to be respectected and protected by all and at all times
7. On behalf of the entire sporting fraternity of Brikama and even beyond, the team reps deeply regret the unfortunate experience and trauma Buba Mbye Bojang had undergone during the period in police custody and therefore wish to apologize to him, his family and loved ones.
We look forward to open a new page in our strive to promote sports in Brikama.
Going through the case, in accordance with our constitution, the team reps discovered that the committee has seriously erred and need to be put through for our own good.
The release further added that in 2008, Bojang was fined for allegedly insulting a referee when he was neither a registered player nor an officer but a football fan.
Therefore, the fine was incorrect as stated by the release.
Section 11.0.21 clearly stated that "Any fan or spectator who displays in the indiscipline manner to the referees, executive, or its appointed committee members shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a ban from entering the Mini-Stadium for the rest of that season."
Therefore Buba Mbye Bojang, been a fan could only be banned as highlighted in the above clause and no other clause could be used to justify the fine since the offence and penalty are clearly spelt out in section 11.0.21.
It is important to note that Mbye had stopped coming to the field for the rest of that season thus he had complied to keep the peace.
Secondly on the 13th October 2010, the executive committee of BYSC banned Bojang from entering the Mini-Stadium if he fails to pay the said fine of D200.00.
A. We have earlier on argued that the fine was incorrect on a fan.
B. Now that Buba Mbye Bojang is a registered officer of Shell Border FC and therefore the said fine cannot be binding on him since he did not commit the offence in his capacity as an officer.
C. Even if the fine has to stand, he is not entitled to a ban for failing to pay a fine neither shall he be dragged to Police.
To be sincere and generous to you please kindly refer to section 11.0.16 of our constitution
Any registered player or officer who displays indiscipline to the referees, executive or appointed committee members shall be guilty of an offence and liable to
A. Section 11.0.17 not exceeding two hundred dalasis or 11.0.18 suspension for a number of matches not exceeding for or 11.0.19 both fine and suspension.
Section 11.0.20 went further to state that if the fine above is not paid, in the case of a player, he or she shall not be qualified to play ensuing matches.
In the case of an officer, it shall be deducted from the team's gate takings.
The committee should simply deduct the fine from the team’s gate takings period but not to ban let alone to take him to police.
Thirdly, on the 14th October 2010. Buba Mbye Bojang was arrested, charged for trespass and instigating violence and put in cell.
After the charge, he was denied bail that night and detained for about 17 hours.
This action of the executive committee, the release added, is unfortunate, unethical, unconstitutional and a gross abuse of power which has no room in sports and even in any civilized society.
In the light of the above, we the undersigned team reps hereby resolved that
1. the executive committee acted wrongly on Buba Mbye Bojang's issue
2. The case against him (Mbye) is irrelevant and lacks merit.
3. The committee is therefore advised to withdraw it immediately in the spirit of sports.
4. The committee should apologize to Buba Mbye Bojang in writing within one week from today.
5. Buba Mbye Bojang shall not take up the case to further level if 3 and 4 above are met as agreed upon at the team representatives' meeting.
6. The constitution should always guide our actions and need to be respectected and protected by all and at all times
7. On behalf of the entire sporting fraternity of Brikama and even beyond, the team reps deeply regret the unfortunate experience and trauma Buba Mbye Bojang had undergone during the period in police custody and therefore wish to apologize to him, his family and loved ones.
We look forward to open a new page in our strive to promote sports in Brikama.
