UPDATE: BVIFA boots out Ballstars appeal!
In a statement issued today, Saturday March 16, 2013 the BVIFA denied the appeal lodged by the Ballstars after One Love lodged an official protest that they had fielded ineligible players during the semi final of the competition, which was won 3-2 by Ballstars.
“After considering the Ballstars appeal the Executive, in the absence of an Appeal Committee, have concluded the rules were violated and the decision of the Competition Committee will not be overturned.“
According to a statement from Ballstars coach Vincent ‘Nabu’ Samuel, the basis of the appeal was that the team never fielded unregistered players. “As it pertains to the players involved, Mr Browne, Mr Laurent and Mr Claxton were registered in 2011 with the BVIFA and their registration was extended to the 2012 - 2013 season. As it pertains to Mr Warner, he was registered in January of 2012. They were indeed taking part in our competition on the premise that they were legitimate in our estimation since the Secretariat did not bring it to our attention that they were not.”
The Ballstars further contended that it stands to reason that if there were reasons to doubt the said players involvement in the League they should not have been allowed to play until all perimeters were settled and since they weren’t then it isn't fair to say they were in violation.
The BVIFA has also passed the matter on to the Disciplinary Committee, which will decide any further sanctions that may be applied to the Ballstars, which could include a points deduction.
That decision could well affect the Ballstars place in next season’s Premier Division and lead to their replacement by Old Madrid.
Meanwhile, One Love and Islanders will do battle in the National League Final on Sunday, March 17, 2013.
Kickoff time for the Championship game is 7 P.M. The pre-championship game starts at 5 P.M.
See previous article posted on March 14, 2013
Ballstars thrown out of National League Final!
- One Love FC lodges protest over eligibility of Ballstars players
In an extraordinary turn of events, the BVIFA has sensationally upheld a protest from One Love FC and overturned the result of the semifinal due to eligibility issues of players from Ballstars.
The semi final in question saw the Ballstars beat One Love 3-2, but with four St Thomas based players contributing to the victory without allegedly going through the proper processes of obtaining clearances to play.
The four, Jahleel Warner, Wakendale Laurent, Jamie Browne and Carlos Claxton all play or have played in the USVI with Warner representing them at U17 level in the recent CONCACAF tournament, Laurent playing for Haitain Victory in this year’s senior league, Browne playing for Positive Vibes and Claxton also playing for the Vibes.
The BVIFA had the information confirmed by the USVI Soccer Association's General Secretary, Chantel Bird and went on to state in a press release that the same players representing the Ballstars was a contravention of section 17 of the National League Tournament rules and regulations and that a protest lodged by One Love's management would be upheld.
"The competition commitee after reviewing all the information in relation to the protest has ruled that Ballstars are in violation of section 17 of the 2012/13 BVIFA National League tournament rules and regulations and also FIFA rules and regulations on the status and transfer of players, section 5 article 2 and section 9 article 1."
According to the release, "the club will automatically forfeit any match in which they fielded an unregistered player."
In the short term this means One Love will replace them in Sunday's Final, but Ballstars Coach Vincent ‘Nabu’ Samuel has confirmed the club will appeal the judgement. It won’t end there either way as the BVIFA also stated that the Disciplinary Committee will also investigate the matter further.
The outcome of that investigation could well see the team denied a place in next season's Premier League as the players featured in back to back season victories that saw them climb not only into National League Play Off contention, but also claim promotion into the top tier of the soon to be new format of two divisions.
All this comes on the back of Samuel being relieved of his position as Youth Development Officer for the BVIFA and Co-ordinator of the Lime sponsored High School League.
If further sanctions are applied following further infringements being proved, then Old Madrid could find themselves promoted to the Premier League.
Although justified under League rules, it would mean that a lot of up and coming young players, through no fault of their own, would be replaced by ‘more experienced’ players in the top division.
That of course would be a huge dent in their development and could also lead to a mass exodus as they seek higher quality games.
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33 Responses to “UPDATE: BVIFA boots out Ballstars appeal!”
Shame on you, as a former member of the FA, you should have had a copy of the rule book in your back pocket. You do the same thing year after year and it's full time something be done about your chea...ng ways. Good luck in the relegated zone. I hope the disciplinary committee put a fine on you too if this is true.
One love team are sore loosers but trust me Islanders is going too make them eat the dirt off the field on sunday and i will be there too see it. Yall just mad that the young guys killed yall with licks.
Ballstarz FC for Life
I know all these Jamdown men know this tune cause all of them listen to it. But of all people they should know badmind and jealousy dont prosper in this world. One Love can not hold up against Islanders no day. Why fight too play a game that your going to loose? The stands will be against yall anytime that game is played.
The BVIFA is full of some incompetent jack's that are conniving and did i mention bad minded. Spitting a man because of his goodness is not right. Think of the players and the future of football in the BVI and what impression your giving too the players who are sitting looking on at your deceitful behaviors. God dont sleep hold strong coach, i dont know you personally but i have been watching football and you do a very good job. What is for a man he will always have it. Once God with you no man can be against you Nabu.
boring and without taste. Coach Nabo who god bless no
man curse all who fighting you down will fall and fail beforw you
what a set of jacka...es with no brains or common sense. Jealousy is a bad thing and god already bless Nabu with his ability. He came there with it cause he aint get not one thing extra from BVIFA to add with what he came with. So R... and all of them who fighting him down dont cause your a dimwhit who dont even no the duties of a Genl.Sec and all of you should also shut up cause Nabu made BVIFA what it is today. All you backstabbera will get your portion. Nabu will always be ahead no matter what u all do he already blessed.