El-Merriekh FC Bentiu. (-)

El-Merriekh FC Bentiu have appealed against the decision of the South Sudan Football Association that crowned Jamus FC as champions of the 13^th edition of South Sudan Cup, challenging SSFA to prove pitch invaders were El-Merriekh fans.

A letter dated 27th February and addressed to SSFA’s High Appeal Committee, said the decision was unjust and made without thorough and proper investigation.

The club’s reaction comes a day after the Organizing Committee of the football-governing body crowned Jamus FC as the champions of the tournament whose final was ruined by pitch invasion.

The match started peacefully on a hot Sunday afternoon in a tightly packed Buluk Training Center, when Jamus netted 18 minutes into the game leaving El-Meriekh trailing through the first half.

It was only at the 51st minute that El-Meriekh’s Chikidi Koang scored to cancel Jamus FC’s 1-0 advantage before the game headed for penalties.

During the shootout, El-Merriek had four kicks where they scored two goals and missed two, while Jamus scored three and were about to have the fourth kick, when fans ran to the field.

Chaos ensued as the football supporters stormed the field during a penalty shootout forcing the match to be abandoned without a winner.

The funs rioted and broke chairs, prompting police to fire shots in the air.

The organizing committee meeting pronounced El-Merrekh FC losers by a score of 2-0 and added that they will be deprived of the financial percentage of the match income, in accordance article 78 of SSFA general regulation 2012 amended 2019.

El-Merriekh FC have appealed the ruling before the High Appeal Committee citing incorrect application of the laws.

“As supporters of fair competition, we strongly believe that the decision to award the match result to Jamus Football Club is unjust and not line with the principles of the sportsmanship,” the club statement said.

“Upholding the decision without a thorough review sets a dangerous precedent that undermines the sprite of fair play and the credibility of the South Sudan football Association.”

The club alleged that the pitch was first invaded by Jamus FC fans in celebration of the penalty missed by El-Merreikh player Dominic Abui.

They said since the playground is not their home ground, SSFA organizing committee had the obligation to control disturbances in the field by deploying enough security personnel, adding that Merriekh FC contributed with 26 steward to control the fans.