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By Neto Baptiste
The Antigua and Barbuda Football Association’s (ABFA) Disciplinary Committee, has ruled that the disputed playoffs clash between Attacking Saints and Freeman’s Village Scorpions, must be played.
This is according to sources close to the situation, who said the committee ruled in favour of Freeman’s Village Scorpions who did not turn out for the match in early May due to what they said was the unavailability of a number of players.
The decision, according to the source, further stated that both teams must agree on a date for the staging of the important fixture that will decide which of the teams will play in the FA’s Premier Division for the 2025/26 domestic season.
Acting President of the ABFA, Gwen Salmon, confirmed that a decision has been reached but refused to go into details when contacted by Observer media. Further reports however indicated that Attacking Saints could move to appeal the decision.
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.
The game is crucial to decide which of the two teams will play in the Premier Division next season; both teams beat SAP FC by 4-1 margins in their previous encounter. Attacking Saints were relegated to the playoffs after finishing fifth from bottom in the standings in the top flight while Scorpions ended their First Division campaign in third place.
Meanwhile, former three-peat top flight champions, English Harbour FC, were promoted to the First Division, following a comfortable 4-1 victory over Tryum FC in the Second Division vs First Division playoffs on May 3.
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