The FUFA Club Licensing Committee has excluded Mbarara City FC from this year's Uganda Premier League because it's stadium has not been fully inspected and approved to host games.
In a communication released on Tuesday evening, the football governing body for Uganda urged the club from Western Uganda to ply their trade in the third division.
Mbarara City FC has been excluded from competing in the Uganda Premier League season 2018-2019 due to non-compliance for failure to officially provide a fully inspected and approved venue to host matches,” read a tweet from FUFA club licensing committee.
“After the exclusion from the top flight and under the FUFA licensing regulations, Mbarara City is eligible to register in the 3rd Division (Western Regional League) for the 2018-2019 Season.”
Club apologises to fans
In response to the decision by the FUFA, Mbarara City chairman, Mwine Mpaka apologised to the club fans for failure to meet the standards required by FUFA.
“As a club we want to apologise to our fans and the entire football family in western Uganda and the whole country,” said a statement by Mpaka.
“The club has been doing all it can in the very short time to make sure the stadium is upgraded to the required standards and we have registered progress on the work although we have not managed to beat the deadline. The works will continue as we sort out the issue of clearing the club to play in the league.”
He assured the club fans that management would appeal and also engage the football governing body to see the decision is reversed.
According to Mpaka, they would abide by the option of hosting league games away from home as the upgrade of Kakyeka stadium goes on.
“We once again extend our sincere apologies to our fans and a sure them that we shall do everything we can to make sure the team plays it's opening league game on Friday. We request our fans to be flexible and bear with the inconveniences that shall be caused by change of the Hosting ground for the start," he said.
Last season, Mbarara City FC hosted their league games at Kakyeka stadium and survived relegation by a whisker.