Rayon Sports Football Club has officially responded to a recent decision by FERWAFA Appeals Committee concerning their Peace Cup semi-final match against Mukura Victory Sports, expressing deep dissatisfaction with the ruling but committing to participate in the rescheduled game.
The original match, which was meant to be the first leg of the semi-final, was postponed due to a power blackout that disrupted stadium lighting. Rayon Sports had filed an appeal, requesting that the match be awarded to them with a 3-0 scoreline in accordance with competition rules. However, FERWAFA reviewed the situation and decided the fixture should be replayed.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the club voiced strong disagreement with FERWAFA’s ruling, citing concerns over how the appeal process was handled. They criticized what they termed “legal and procedural irregularities,” yet emphasized that they would still travel to Huye for the rescheduled match on Tuesday, March 22, 2025, in the interest of promoting peace through football.
“This decision was made as part of our commitment to the overarching goal of the Peace Cup — using football as a platform for unity,” the club stated the official statement signed by club president Thadée Twagirayezu.
In a gesture of goodwill, Rayon Sports reassured supporters who had purchased tickets for the originally scheduled match that they will not be charged again for the replay. The club emphasized that fans with valid tickets from the first date will be granted entry without additional cost.
Additionally, Rayon also raised broader concerns about FERWAFA’s ability to adhere to its own statutes. According to the club, the Appeals Committee failed to respect deadlines outlined in Article 38.5 of FERWAFA’s competition rules, which stipulate the timeline for resolving appeal cases.
The club accused the federation of inconsistent application of regulations and called for FERWAFA to uphold its responsibilities transparently and without favoritism.
While acknowledging that they could escalate the matter to higher legal authorities, Rayon Sports said they would instead proceed with the match as a sign of respect for their fans and to avoid escalating tensions in the football community.
