Eight clubs, including giants Vipers SC, have been denied licenses to participate in the 2024/25 Uganda Premier League (UPL) season.
The other clubs affected include Express FC, URA FC, Wakiso Giants, Maroons FC, and UPDF FC. Newcomers Police FC and Mbale Heroes are also on the list of clubs yet to secure their licenses.
According to FUFA, these clubs have not submitted the minimum required number of 18 players to be approved on the FUFA Connect System, which is essential for participation in the league.
The clubs have been granted a second deadline of August 15, 2024, to meet these requirements. Failure to do so could result in their exclusion from the upcoming season.
Despite Vipers being in the semis of the FUFA Super Eight Semifinals, the club only has eleven (11) players registered on the FUFA connect system.
They have on Friday confirmed some departures including Defender Murushid Juuko.
In contrast, Kitara FC and KCCA FC have successfully met all mandatory, obligatory, and best practice club licensing requirements, positioning them as the only two clubs fully cleared for the new season.
SC Villa, BUL FC, NEC FC, Mbarara City FC, and Lugazi FC have been placed in the second category, having met the mandatory requirements but still needing to address certain items under best practice criteria.
These clubs have been issued provisional licenses but must fulfill the outstanding conditions before the start of the second round of the season.
This comes after the precedent set in the 2022/23 season when Kyetume FC was expelled from the league for failing to meet the required player registration criteria.
Additionally, Arua Hill was relegated midway through last season due to non-compliance with mandatory club licensing requirements.
The 2024/25 Uganda Premier League season is set to kick off on Friday, September 13, 2024.
https://sportsnation.co.ug/2024/08/09/vipers-among-eight-upl-denied-license-for-new-season/
