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By Neto Baptiste
Almost seven weeks following the postponement of their crucial playoffs fixture on May 1, football clubs, Attacking Saints and Freeman’s Village Scorpions, are still unsure as to when or even if the game will be contested.
Doubt abounds even after the Antigua and Barbuda Football Association’s (ABFA) disciplinary committee ruled in late May that the match must be played.
The clash, which was rescheduled to May 3 after being rain-affected two days prior, did not materialize after Scorpions failed to show. The Freeman’s Village men later claimed that they were under the impression the game had been rescheduled to the Sunday (May 4) as they had indicated to the FA, in writing, that a number of their players would not be available.
Following the disciplinary committee’s ruling however, it was revealed that both teams were to meet and decide on a date and time for the fixture but a decision could not be reached when the meeting was held at the ABFA’s Technical Center some three Mondays ago.
Attacking Saints were relegated to the playoffs after finishing fifth from bottom on the standings in the Premier Division while Scorpions ended their First Division campaign in third place, one position down from automatic promotion.
The clash between the two teams is crucial to decide who will play in the Premier Division next season after both teams had beaten SAP FC by 4-1 margins in their previous encounters. SAP finished fourth in the First Division to earn a spot in the playoffs.
When contacted, representatives from both teams said they are still awaiting word form the ABFA regarding a new date and time for the clash. One official even expressed scepticism over whether his players are still interested in contesting the match.
Efforts to reach a number of ABFA officials for comment on the matter proved futile but indications are that no official appeal had been filed following the disciplinary committee ruling.
Ottos Rangers and Jennings United were automatically promoted to the Premier Division after finishing first and second respectively.
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