House of Dread fined, demoted for default

As a result, WASA Clean & White have been declared winners of the league’s Big Six series and the Arthur "Jap" Brown Memorial Trophy.

The EFA’s disciplinary committee unanimously decided on the fine and removal of The Dreads, after finding that they "wilfully" defaulted their final game against the WASA men, scheduled for Saturday last.

According to EFA secretary Neville Ferguson, an official of House of Dread called him and also vice-president Vernon Bain requesting last Saturday’s game be postponed allegedly because they were involved in a minor league final.

Ferguson said The Dreads hinted they would default the game, despite Bain and himself refusing to entertain their request for a postponement of their scheduled game.

And Ferguson and Bain pointed out their reasons for their refusal, which included the fact that the EFA fixture was communicated to House Of Dread well in advance; that the default would mean WASA would have no opportunity to overtake The Dread for league honours; and it would mean that Coast Guard would not be placed higher than third at the end of final round matches.

Ferguson said, after the disciplinary committee "carefully deliberated" on the matter, it was unanimously agreed that "House Of Dread defaulted the game to participate in the minor league, because they had been virtually assured of winning the Emerald Apartments and Plaza league competition; that they played in the minor league to capture the $20,000 prize money as allegedly stated by Mr Spencer."

The disciplinary committee also held that The Dread "wilfully neglected the instructions given to Mr Spencer by Ferguson and Bain.

The disciplinary men decided to award the game to WASA Clean & White with a 3-0 score; to deduct additional points from their tally; and to fine The Dread $4,500 to be paid to the EFA by December 16.

The new final standings now read: