Military side APR FC, has been handed a severe penalty following their 0-0 draw with Gorilla FC on Wednesday, November 3, 2024, in the eighth round of the Rwandan Premier League.
The FERWAFA Competition Commission ruled that the club fielded seven foreign players, exceeding the limit of six foreign players allowed on the field. As a result, the club has been stripped of the point they earned from the draw and handed a 3-0 loss.
The seven foreign players involved in the violation were Pavelh Ndzila, Alioum Souane, Thaddeo Lwanga, Mahamadou Lamine Bah, Chidiebere Nwodobo, Victor Mbaoma, and Mamadou Sy.
According to the Rwandan Premier League’s updated regulations, which came into effect on September 1, 2024, clubs are permitted to have up to 10 foreign players in their match-day squad but can only field six foreign players at a time.
This ruling has seen APR FC’s points total drop to just four, leaving them in 15th place in the standings. They are now one point ahead of bottom-placed Kiyovu Sports, but the club still has five postponed matches to catch up on.
In the wake of the penalty, APR FC has also taken disciplinary action against their Team Manager, Capt. (Rtd) Eric Ntazinda, who has been dismissed for his role in the breach of regulations. The violation falls under his responsibilities, and the club’s management has acted swiftly to address the issue.
The penalty has sent shockwaves through the club, with fans and pundits alike expressing concerns over the club’s management and the impact this will have on their season.
