KCCA vs UPDF abandoned clash over floodlights: What do the rules say?

On Thursday October 22, the StarTimes Uganda Premier League clash between KCCA and UPDF was abandoned after floodlights failure in the 8th minute.

It was the first time this season that the thirteen-time champions KCCA were hosting a night match after the Fufa Licensing Committee had denied them certificate to do so citing issues to do with lighting which has since been rectified.

A lot has been said as we await the ruling from the Fufa Judicial Committee on the matter but here is the full rule (31) pertaining hosting matches under floodlights and perhaps after this, you will have to make your judgement.

Rule 31: Flood Lights

1) Night Matches shall mean matches that start at or after 1700 Hours (Ugandan Time) or those that will still be in play by 1800 Hours (Uganda Time)

2) FUFA will inspect and issue a Flood Lights Certificate upon satisfaction that the lighting systems have the necessary standards for a night match

3) There shall be the following certificates:

a) FUFA Flood Lights Certificates (TV Matches); This shall be a certificate issued for a facility that may host Night Matches scheduled for TV.

b) FUFA Flood Lights Certificates (Non-TV Matches); This shall be a certificate issued for a facility that shall not host Night Matches scheduled for TV.

4) FUFA may withdraw the FUFA Flood Lights Certificate at any time upon satisfaction that the lighting standards have fallen below the FUFA Lighting Standards under which the certificate was issued.

5) In the event of a failure of the lights, the referee shall suspend the match for up to 30 minutes, or until the lights are restored, whichever comes first. If the lights cannot be restored to the licensed standards within 30 minutes, the referee will abandon the match.

6) In the event of abandonment of the match and after the investigation proves that the failure of the lights was:

a) If the home team is at fault or benefits from the action, the home team shall lose the match by forfeiture, and further disciplinary action may be taken by the FJC.

b) a cause and benefit of the away team, the away team shall lose the match by forfeiture and further disciplinary action may be taken by the FJC.

c) an unavoidable circumstance

i) and the match had been played for less than 70 minutes; the match will be rescheduled by the TOC as a Continuation of Play Match

ii) and the match had been played for 70 minutes and more and the standing sporting results of the match was to the benefit of the home club, the two (2) captains of both clubs may agree in writing (as part of match reports) for the standing result at abandonment of the match to be considered the final result of the match but in case of no consent, the match will be rescheduled by the TOC to be continued for the remaining minutes of the match.

iii) and the match had been played for 70 minutes or more, and the sporting standing of the match was to the benefit of the away club, the match will be rescheduled by the TOC to be continued for the remaining minutes of the match.

iv) If, upon investigation, it is obtained that the cause of failure of the lights was influenced or facilitated by any club in the match or in the competition for a sporting or otherwise benefit, the FJC will determine the decision in order to uphold the integrity of the respective Competitions.

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