The Namibia Rugby Union (NRU) yesterday confirmed that the premier and reserve leagues finals will go ahead this weekend, despite Wanderers’ appeal against their disqualification.

Unam 1 will take on Western Suburbs 1 in the premier league final, while the reserve league final will see Kudus II and Western Suburbs II competing. Both matches are scheduled for the Hage Geingob stadium.

The NRU disciplinary committee had earlier found Wanderers guilty of having fielded ineligible players during the premier and reserve leagues semi-finals played last month. In the premier league semis, Wanderers defeated Western Suburbs 20-13, while Wanderers II beat Suburbs II 32-19 in the reserve league. 

But Suburbs later protested that Wanderers had used ineligible players during those matches, and subsequently went on to launch a complaint against Wanderers with the NRU, who then referred the matter to the disciplinary committee.

After thoroughly scrutinising the availed evidence, the committee last week found Wanderers guilty of having used illegal players during their semi-final matches against Suburbs, and eliminated Wanderers from both finals.

Wanderers has since appealed the committee’s decision, but the NRU has indicated that the finals will move ahead tomorrow.

The committee explained that by fielding ineligible players, Wanderers contravened the constitution, rules and regulations of the NRU, especially those governing fair play and integrity around the union’s various competitions.

That decision was also unanimously endorsed by the NRU Council at its extraordinary general meeting held on 13 November. The council is the NRU’s highest decision-making body.