Earlier today, the Sigma Chief’s League Committee, through the office of the Deputy Chief, Loyalist Olasupo Tomiwa, issued a release overturning the disqualification of DA-EBS Football Club from the 2024 Sigma Chief’s Competition and clarifying the guidelines on participation in the tournament.
After the decision to disqualify DA-EBS FC from the tournament, on account of violation of rules, was made public, the club [DA-EBS] released a ‘petition appeal’ stating reasons the disqualification was unjust, including; lack of communication at the press conference on the non-DLC rule and non-existence of the disqualifying rule in the terms and conditions. In response, the Sigma Chief’s League committee issued a release affirming the rules remain unchanged, but that DA-EBS’ disqualification has been overturned, on the condition that; I. a fine of 1000 Naira is paid I. DA-EBS continue the tournament fielding only regular students.
A letter of apology was also issued by Loyalist Afolabi Gideon, the Committee Chairman, stating that the “decision was made hastily and without fully considering all the circumstances surrounding the situation”, among others.
The disapproval of DLC students was not explicitly stated in the circulated Terms and Conditions for the league. However, according to the organisers, the clause, “Ensure they [players] are regular students of the University of Ibadan” applied to undergraduate and postgraduate students. Speaking with the Press, a member of the Committee, confirmed that this had been clarified at the Press Conference. This claim is backed up by a UIMSA Press report from November 9th, 2024.
Peter Adeyemo.
