RAYON Sports have protested FERWAFA’s action of penalizing the club for not taking part in this year’s Ubutwari Cup.

The local football governing body, FERWAFA, slapped Rayon with a Rwf300,000 fine and ban to organise or engage in friendly matches for a period of 12 months for pulling out of the 2020 Ubutwari Cup at last minute a fortnight ago.

The club will also not be invited for the 2021 Ubutwari Cup, also known as National Heroes Cup.

In an interview with Times Sport on Saturday afternoon, Sadate Munyakazi, Rayon Sports president, stressed that he totally disagreed with the ‘unfair’ punishments and the club intended to appeal.

"We do not agree with Ferwafa at all. Not only are the punishments unfair, but we were never even asked to explain why we did not participate,” argued Munyakazi, who was elected as Rayon Sports president in July 2019. 

He further added: "We will try to get justice through the available channels, but we will not hesitate to go to FIFA’s Court of Arbitration for Sports if Ferwafa does not work here.”

Rayon Sports’ bitter rivals, APR, retained the Heroes Cup title on Saturday, February 1, with seven points, one ahead of runners-up Police. SC Kiyovu finished third with four points, while Mukura finished bottom without a point in the four-team tournament.