Motsepe Foundation Championship side Gomora United have been found guilty of contravening Rule 35.2 of the National Soccer League [NSL] Handbook during their league fixture against Venda FC on August 29.

The match took place at Malamulele Stadium in Malamulele, where Gomora United initially earned the result on the pitch. The Patrick Phungwayo-led side had won the match with a 1-0 scoreline.

According to official documents in possession of FARPost, the Premier Soccer League Disciplinary Committee [PSL DC] have docked Gomora United the points and awarded the match to Venda FC with a 3-0 scoreline.

UNDERSTANDING RULE 35.2 OF THE NSL HANDBOOK

Rule 35.2 of the NSL Handbook mandates the inclusion and minimum continuous participation of Under-23 players during all Motsepe Foundation Championship fixtures.

Clubs competing in South Africa’s second tier are required to start a minimum of five Under-23 players who are South African citizens and must maintain that quota on the pitch throughout the entire 90 minutes.

Failure to adhere to these youth quota guidelines constitutes a direct breach of league regulations, resulting in an automatic forfeiture of the fixture.

IMPACT ON THE MOTSEPE FOUNDATION CHAMPIONSHIP LOG TABLE

The sanction brings movement to the lower end of the Motsepe Foundation Championship standings after eight games played.

Gomora United slips down to 13th position on the table with eight points from their opening eight outings.

Meanwhile, Venda FC, the decision provides a vital lifeline for the Vhembe-based outfit. Gaining three points elevates the Limpopo club out of the immediate danger zone to 14th place on four points. They sit just one point clear of bottom-placed The Bees FC [16th place].

Gomora United’s next league assignment will be against Hope FC on Saturday, 31 October, with the venue yet to be confirmed. The game will kick off at 15:30.