In the wake of a brewing controversy over league ranking procedures, FUFA President Moses Magogo addressed the issue, emphasizing that league rules are designed to be fair and impartial to all teams.
Speaking on his show “Tutegeere Omupiira” on Thursday on FUFA TV, Magogo sought to dispel any misconceptions regarding the league’s ranking criteria.
The controversy arose following a communication indicating that this season’s league positions would be determined based on head-to-head results rather than goal difference in the event of teams being tied on points.
The initial confusion stemmed from a table issued by the Uganda Premier League secretariat, which placed Vipers ahead of BUL despite both teams being tied on 49 points, the former having a superior goal difference.
However, Magogo clarified the situation after sharing the updated competition rules on various platforms.
Under the revised rules, BUL, with an inferior goal difference of +15, took the lead in the standings ahead of Vipers, who boasted a goal difference of +21. This adjustment was made due to BUL’s victories over Vipers both home and away during the season.
Magogo stressed the importance of stakeholders familiarizing themselves with the existing rules, noting that ignorance of the regulations is not an acceptable excuse.
It’s strong to note that FUFA had communicated these new regulations to clubs prior to the start of the ongoing season, as early as September 11, 2023.
“Rules are established and communicated beforehand, so it is essential for all participants to educate themselves about them,” Magogo stated. “Failure to read and understand the rules cannot justify any grievances.”
Magogo’s statements aim to bring clarity and transparency to the league’s ranking procedures, ensuring that all teams are aware of the criteria governing their positions in the standings.
Excerpt from the 2023/24 Competitions Rules:c) The positions on table standing at all times throughout the league or mini league shall be ranked on the following priority order from top to bottom considering cumulative statistics from the first to the last recognized matches of the competitioni) Total Number of Points Accumulatedii) If Rule 14(4) (c)(i) does not separate the teams, then the better team, betweenthe tying teams, by the Head-to-Head (Using the goal aggregate system) will beranked above the other(s)iii) If Rule 14(4) (c)(ii) does not separate the teams, then the better team, betweenthe tying teams, by virtual points will be ranked above the other(s). For purposesof this provision, virtual points shall be the one (1) extra point earned by the teams that win their match by 2-goal or more goal marginiv) If Rule 14(4) (c)(iii) does not separate the teams, then the better team, betweenthe tying teams, by the difference between the Goals Scored against the GoalsConceded will be ranked above the other(s)v) If Rule 14(4) (c)(iv) does not separate the teams, then the better team, betweenthe tying teams, with a superior number of Goals Scored will be ranked abovethe other(s)vi) If Rule 14(4) (c)(v) does not separate the teams, then the better team, betweenthe tying teams, with an inferior number of fair-play points will be ranked abovethe other(s)For the purpose of this provision, fair-play points will be calculated as 3 pointsfor a red card and 1 point for a yellow card and totaled up per team throughoutthe competitionvii) If Rule 14(4) (c)(vi) does not separate the teams, then the FUFA Executive willtake a decision to rank such teams including but not limited tossing a coin fortournament played with a mini league format or a fully replay between the tyingteams for the league format
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