Hi All
I write to clubs in Capital 1 and 2 to confirm the decision made this week by the Capital Football Board regarding the make-up of Capital 1 and 2 for 2014.
The situation as explained in the email dated 1 October (and copied below), has been discussed at length by the Capital Football Board. The situation involves exceptional circumstances. A team has acted in reliance on an interpretation of the regulations given by Capital Football. Another team has (completely within its rights) appealed and that interpretation has been overturned by NZF (after the game). While we accept the NZF ruling, the consequences for North Wellington (who were not involved at all) were severe. Accordingly, the Board has decided that North Wellington will not be relegated and will retain their position in the Capital 1 League for the 2014 season, therefore making Capital 1 an 11 team league.
As a result, Capital 2 will be a 9 team league in 2014. Both Capital 1 and 2 will have a bye round due to the uneven number of teams however if the clubs so wish there is the possibility of crossover friendly games between the Capital 1 and 2 teams.
For the following season in 2015, both Capital 1 and Capital 2 will revert back to a 10 team league competition. The normal relegation/promotion process will be followed.
This decision has not been taken lightly, it is intended to be a one-off, and is not expected to set a precedent.
We are taking two further measures:
·The Men’s Advisory Group are currently reviewing and refining the wording and clarification of the playing regulations before the normal process of seeking Board approval.
·The Capital Football office will be instigating a new system and process on how Playing Regulation enquiries are managed. The details on this process will be communicated in the new year.
Please contact me at chair@capitalfootball.org.nz if you have any questions.
Regards
Chris Canton
Chair, Capital Football Board
All,
Many of you will be aware of an issue that surfaced in relation to Capital One during the last week of the season, namely:
·Miramar Rangers (MR) approached Capital Football (CF) Operations Department seeking a clarification as to the re-grading of a player from Central League to Capital One; the game being played on 25/8.
·Technically this is able to be done albeit there was some ambiguity around the rule in relation to when the league finishes e.g. is it when the teams involvement finishes or the leagues itself;- Rule 6.1 No player can be re-graded down to another team following conclusion of their league, unless that player has not played in a higher graded team at any time during the season.
·CF's interpretation was made that it was the latter, being when the league itself finished. Some of you will remember a similar issue with the Eastbourne U 17 team earlier this season, and CF applied a consistent approach. MR picked its team on that basis.
·As is their right Brooklyn Northern United (BNU), whom MR played, disputed the ruling and appealed to CF as the result of the game had a direct bearing on BNU’s potential relegation form Capital One.
·CF explained the decision to BNU and rejected their appeal, based on what is explained above.
·BNU then, as is their right, appealed to NZ Football(NZF).
·NZF agreed with BNU’s appeal and reversed CF’s ruling granting the match to BNU (2-0), as per the regulations, and with it the 3 points.
·This then moved BNU from the potential relegation spot and replaced by North Wellington.
·All of the possible options regarding relegation were predicated against the result of the Stop Out Central League play-off match v Palmerston North Marist; played on 14/9 and 21/9.
·The result of this game went Palmerston North Marist’s way thus confirming North Wellingtons potential relegation.
·The Board of CF have discussed these series of events and have asked management to look at various options as to “where to from here”; given the inherent issue of fairness or otherwise that surrounds this issue.
·We will continue to update you once the Board of CF has considered the options presented.