The decision by the Gambia Football Federation, GFF, to select league leaders Real De Banjul to present Gambia in the Caf champions league after declaring the current league null and void has suffered another set back.
The GFF said it has decided to send Real to the champions league and Armed Forces to the Confederations Cup because they are in first and second place respectively on the league table when it was declared null and void last week. However many commentators and stakeholders have criticised the decision saying it is not based on any rules and in any case, a league that is null and void cannot have any bearing on representation to Caf. Others said the defending champions Brikama United should instead go to the champions league.
However, in their letter declining the offer, Real de Banjul has their own argument:“We feel the club should have been crowned champions when the season was abandoned. Real is not only one of the oldest members of the GFF but have also played a cardinal role in the development of football in The Gambia by following the rules of the game, investing in all aspects of football development and supporting the GFF to the best of our ability at all times. The club does not want its reputation and those of its members to be unfairly tainted,” a statement from the club said yesterday.
