Guinness “Greatest of the Streets” West Side: Showstoppers get shot at final after Jetty Gunners’ disqualification
Jetty Gunners have been officially disqualified from the Guinness “Greatest of the Streets” West/East Bank Demerara Championship after it was discovered, following an investigation, that they fielded an ineligible player during their semi-final against Showstoppers.
A thorough investigation, following an official verbal and then written protest by Showstoppers, was launched by the tournament officials following the conclusion of the match, which ended 2-1 in favour of Jetty Gunners via the penalty kick route.
It was subsequently revealed that Jetty Gunners fielded an ineligible player in the form of Andrew Murray Jr, despite being warned of the individual’s ineligibility by the coordinators prior to the commencement of the fixture and still allowed the player to be uniformed on the team bench.
According to the official tournament rules, “the fielding of an ineligible player, inclusive, on the team bench will lead to automatic disqualification of the guilty team despite the result by the officials.”
The Guinness “Greatest of the Streets” West Coast/East Bank final will now see Ballerz Empire and Showstoppers facing off
Tournament coordinator Travis Bess said, “This year’s Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets West/East Bank edition finals will be contested between the defending champion Ballerz Empire and Showstoppers. The reason for this is, because Showstoppers protested against Jetty… The grounds for the protest were based on Jetty … having a player outfitted in uniform and on the bench during their semi-final match. The tournament rules state to any team that the fielding of any ineligible player, inclusive, on the team bench, will lead to automatic qualification of the guilty team despite the result by the officials.”
He further said, “Moreover, before the second semi-finals match, both coordinators went onto the playing area and spoke to both the Captain and Managers of Showstoppers and Jetty…, making it clear that Mr Andrew Murray couldn’t take part in the match.”
Owing to the outcome, Showstoppers will advance to the final, which is pencilled for Saturday at the Pouderoyen Tarmac, against defending champions Ballerz Empire.
Moreover, Cayenne Massive and the winner of the Pouderoyen Brothers and Epic Touch Family fixture will now contest the third-place playoff.
