Yanga file appeal to CAS over postponed Simba clash
What you need to know:
- The match, originally scheduled for March 8 at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, was postponed after Simba claimed that Yanga’s security denied them access to the stadium for their pre-match training session.
Dar es Salaam. Defending champions Young Africans (Yanga) have filed an official appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) after expressing dissatisfaction with the responses from the Tanzania Premier League Board (TPLB) and the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) regarding the postponement of their Mainland Premier League clash against Simba.
The match, originally scheduled for March 8 at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, was postponed after Simba claimed that Yanga’s security denied them access to the stadium for their pre-match training session.
As a result, Simba informed the TPLB and TFF in writing that they would not participate in the match, citing a denial of their fundamental right to a pre-match training session, as per league regulations for visiting teams.
In response, Yanga issued a statement affirming that the match would proceed as scheduled, in line with the rules and regulations governing the league.
However, later in the afternoon, the TPLB released an official statement, referencing reasons raised by Simba and invoking section 34.1 (1.3), which outlines emergency circumstances acceptable to the TFF.
Yanga rejected the decision, which also drew sharp criticism from other football stakeholders.
Many questioned whether the TPLB had adhered to established regulations when making its ruling.
According to TPLB’s regulations, matches can only be postponed under specific conditions.
Rule 34 outlines that a postponement may only occur if the national team has a scheduled match, if an unforeseen force majeure event occurs, or if at least three players from the same club are called up for national team duty.
Additionally, any request for postponement must be submitted in writing at least 14 days before the match, unless an emergency arises.
Critics argue that none of these criteria were met in this case, raising concerns about whether the TPLB overstepped its authority.
Stakeholders are questioning if there were any emergencies that led the TFF to postpone the match, noting that such reasons have not been made public.
Despite TPLB’s official statement, many football analysts and legal experts have criticized the ruling as setting a dangerous precedent. Some argue that Simba should have been required to play the match and file a complaint afterward, rather than being granted an immediate postponement.
According to a report received by The Citizen, Yanga have already filed a case with CAS, and the judiciary body is now planning a date for the hearing.
“It is true that we have already filed our complaints to CAS regarding the matter. I cannot give details on the matter, but we decided to file the complaint after receiving a response from the TPLB and TFF stating that the committee’s decision regarding the matter is final and that the match would be rescheduled,” said the source.
He added that the club is now waiting for the official information from CAS on the date of the hearing.
