The organizing Committee of the ongoing CECAFA U17 Challenge Cup in Burundi has
taken unanimous disciplinary actions against Zanzibar and Ethiopia Member Associations for
registering/fielding ineligible players.
Both Zanzibar and Ethiopia breached the tournament Rules and Regulations on age limit as
stipulated in Art. 4.0 (Qualification of players), sub sections 4.3 and 4.6.
Zanzibar presented nine players over the limit for their intended opening Group ‘B’ match
against Sudan in Gitega on Sunday April 15. The match was not played and the committee later
found twelve (12) players in total that were born before 2002 as required by the tournament
rules.
The Ethiopian Football Team was also found to have fielded three (3) over age players during
another Group ‘B’ match against Somalia at Urukundo Stadium in Ngozi Province the same day
(Sunday). Ethiopia had won the match 3-1.
The Cecafa Organizing Committee that convened on Sunday evening at Ruhuka Hotel in Ngozi
Province and chaired by Ms. Doris Petra ( The Chairperson of the Women and U17 standing
committee) unanimously agreed as follows:-
1. ZANZIBAR:
(i) Be expelled from the 2018 CECAFA U17 Championship forthwith.(Return home
with first available flight)
(ii) Fined a total of USD 15,000 as an approximate cost of air tickets, accommodation
and meals during their stay in Burundi. This is a refund to FIFA the official
tournament sponsors.
(iii) Zanzibar remains on suspension from all CECAFA sanctioned tournaments until the
above fine is fully paid up.
(iv) Plus any other action by the CECAFA Executive Committee.
2. ETHIOPIA:
(i) Ethiopia U17 Team forfeits, on 0-3 loss basis, their Group ‘B’ match against Somalia.
(ii) The three (3) Ethiopian players be expelled from the CECAFA U17 Championship and
return home with first available flight.
(iii) The Ethiopian Federation be fined USD 5,000 as an approximate cost on air tickets,
accommodation and meals during their time spent in by sponsors.
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