The Inter-clubs organizing committee of the Confederation of African Football CAF have kicked Dolphins FC out of the CAF Confederation Cup.
Dolphins protested against the way they were walked over by the host team, Club Africain on Saturday, March 14, 2015 and CAF transferred the case to its Inter Clubs committee who examined all the relevant documents of the case; namely:
the referee’s report, the commissioner’s report, the email from Dolphins FC in addition to all the exchange of communications between the different parties of the match.
The committee considered that:
– The team of Dolphins FC failed to respect Chapter IX. article 10.2 of the regulations stipulating that “during the matches of 1/16th final, the 1/8th and the 2nd 1/8th finals, the federation of the visiting team is required to notify the organizing federation and CAF with the arrival time of its team in the capital of the host country one week before the date set for the match.
Otherwise, a fine of two thousand (2000) U.S. dollars will be imposed upon the federation of the visiting team.”
– The team of Dolphins did not plan its arrival to the venue of the match in a reasonable date that allows them to avoid any unforeseen situations. The initial arrival time of the team was planned only one day before the said match.
– The team and the federation communicated to CAF only on March 13th to inform the parties that the delegation missed its flight from Port Harcourt to Lagos and will arrive Tunis the day of the match, without requesting a delay or postponement of the match.
– CAF acknowledged receipt of two email advising the late arrival time of the team, highlighting its surprise at the lack of information given and noting that no request for delay has been made by the Nigerian party.
– Despite no request from the Nigerian party, CAF did ask the Tunisian party in a spirit of fair play to consider delaying the start of the match for at least 30 minutes.
– It is the full responsibility of the visiting team to take all the necessary measures in order to arrive to the match venue on the time scheduled for the match.
Since CAF has never received any communication from Nigeria FF or Dolphins before the match requesting its postponement, the Committee believes that the case is not considered as a case of force majeure, and consequently the committee decided to apply the provisions of Chapter XI. article 17 stipulating that:
“If for any reason whatsoever, a team withdraws from the competition or does not report for a match-except in case of force majeure accepted by the Organizing Committee – or if it refuses to play or leaves the ground before the regular end of the match without the permission of the referee, it shall be considered loser and shall be eliminated from the competition.
Therefore, the team of Dolphins is considered loser in match no.57 Club Africain vs Dolphins and the team is eliminated from the Orange Confederation Cup 2015 without prejudice to any other financial sanctions that may be imposed by the committee.
Please accept, dear General Secretary, our sincerest regards.