Re: The malicious behaviour of the Air Force Water Polo team

We write with reference to your letter, on the above.

Having reviewed this complaint, we observe as follows:

1. As a contact sport, FINA rules only provide for an exclusion of the offending player from the remainder of the game in the event of an offence that amounts to ‘brutality’. Therefore, it is imperative that complaints of this nature are brought to the notice of the referee, immediately.

2. The referees of the match in question have affirmed that the coach of your school team had not made any intimations of any ‘severe bruising’ or ‘bite wounds’ that maybe classified as not permitted as per the FINA Water Polo rules. In specific reference to the ‘bite wound’, the union, having made a specific note regrets the complaint not being made in the form of a written protest provided for in the meet circular.

3. This failure and the receipt of your letter a few days after these matches were conducted, you would agree, does not provide to clearly establish proof against a player and the taking of disciplinary action as provided for in the rules.

4. The Bishop’s College team consists mostly of players under the age of 15 years and hence some of the actions by other teams may feel ‘severe’. Although this is not condoned by the union, but to some extent, is also unavoidable.

The SLASU in recent years within its limited capacity and resources has established a junior category with the intention of promoting the sport while providing an equal playing field. However, regrettably, not all schools have shown interest in this sport and hence a competitive sporting environment is limited at this stage.

In the final match of this tournament held on November 13, the referees were briefed and in turn they informed the coaches of the participating teams of the need to report immediately, any incident that takes place without the knowledge of the referee.

We thank you for having written to us and placing this incident on record. However, in light of the observations above, we regret that no further action can be taken with specific reference to your complaint. The SLASU will not hesitate to take action such incidents in the future.