By Sulayman Bah
This year’s Super Nawettan will be short-changed of talents emanating from Brikama after Organizing 
Committee came down heavy at the West Coast Region-based outfit.
The organizing body made a rugby tackle on Brikama for crowd trouble imposing a three-year ban including a D20, 000 fine.
Violence brewed up when the referee overlooked Brikama’s appeal for a penalty. Banjul took on the counter with Omar Sarr outpacing his marker rifling past Brikama’s goalkeeper into the net.
Brikama players and officials, in a fit of rage, bitterly protested to the referee over the goal before the vexed crowd began throwing stones. And fearing for his safety, the referee abandoned the match heading for the dressing room.
There are no incidents of injuries or reported hospitalization in what has so been the first reported crowd violence since start of the tournament. Previous tournaments have been dogged by catalogue of fan troubles which is believed to have scared off potential sponsors.
Some quarters are of the strong conviction that the SOC was little too high-handed with its 3-year verdict with others convinced it was simple justice served. But what’s though clear is that Brikama’s abrupt absence will undoubtedly create a void with its players unable to compete further in the tourney.
Elsewhere Bakau were facing off Gunjur while Brufut took on Serrekunda Central at the Manjai Park as we went to press yesterday. Manjai slugged it out with Lamin.
