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The Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) is not yet ready to present a verdict on a crucial Big Five fixture between Blanchisseuse Secondary and Signal Hill Secondary, according to inside sources.
Wired868 can confirm that the SSFL Disciplinary Committee met yesterday with representatives from both schools to discuss several contentious issues related to their match in Tobago on Friday 8 March.
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868
Signal Hill won the game 2-1 to book the final spot in the 2024 SSFL Premier Division competition, thanks to two goals in second half stoppage time by defender Imanhi Forbes.
On the basis of that result, they joined Big Five winners St Augustine Secondary and Miracle Ministries Pentecostal High School (who were cleared by match officials for using six substitutes in a win over Moruga Secondary) in advancing to the highest level of the local schoolboy competition.
However, Blanchisseuse are contending that the game was ended prematurely by referee Keon Yorke who they also claimed unfairly sent off two of their players—cousins Roger Kirk and Zakiyus Kirk.
Signal Hill, for their part, are accusing the Blanchisseuse players and supporters of unsporting conduct and allege that the opposing team captain Abraham Kirk, elder brother of Zakiyus, assaulted their team manager and PE teacher Bronson Roberts.
Signal Hill players and staff have accused Kirk of violent conduct.
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868
Match commissioner Kurt Jack’s report is also believed to allege an assault by Roger Kirk on fourth official Merville Wallace, as the fixture descended into a brawl.
Signal Hill scorer, Forbes, also reported threats from opposing players and on his social media page.
The eventual ruling from the SSFL Disciplinary Committee is expected to be the final act of the 2023 season.
At present, the confirmed schools for the 2024 Premier Division season are: Fatima College (defending champions), Arima North Secondary, East Mucurapo Secondary, Malick Secondary, Miracle Ministries Pentecostal High School, Naparima College, Presentation College (San Fernando), Queen’s Royal College, San Juan North Secondary, Speyside High Secondary, St Anthony’s College, St Augustine Secondary, St Benedict’s College, St Mary’s College, and Trinity College East.
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868
Signal Hill expect to be the 16th school in the SSFL Premier Division this year. But Blanchisseuse continue to press their own case in the boardroom.
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Lasana Liburd is the managing director and chief editor at Wired868.com and a journalist with over 20 years experience at several Trinidad and Tobago and international publications including Play the Game, World Soccer, UK Guardian and the Trinidad Express.
