SAUCHIE Juniors have backed a sponsor’s decision to withdraw support from the West of Scotland Football League after several clubs were docked points.
Indigo Unified Communications decided to pull the plug in protest over the treatment of clubs who have had difficulty using COMET.
This new system was brought in at the start of the season, with all clubs required to register every player, coach and official ahead of games.
Failure to do so properly has seen clubs hit with points deductions, including North Lanarkshire side Gartcairn who were hit with a 15-point penalty.
This has now led to Indigo withdrawing sponsorship from the WOSFL, who branded the COMET system as “unreliable and poorly managed”.
READ MORE: Sauchie Juniors hit with 15-point deduction
A statement from Indigo read: “Indigo Unified Communications announces the immediate withdrawal of all sponsorship for the West of Scotland Football League.
“For the past two seasons, Indigo has been proud to support the WOSFL without issue.
“However, recent developments, particularly regarding the treatment of several members clubs, have led to this decision.
“Clubs are being unfairly penalised financially and subjected to point deductions due to errors made within an unreliable, poorly managed system that has not been adequately communicated or understood by the clubs.
“Indigo Unified Communications cannot continue to support an organisation that implements systems where user support is not prioritised.”
In response, Indigo have pledged to allocate their sponsorship fund specifically towards WOSFL member clubs who have been financially impacted by COMET issues.
READ MORE: Fraser Duncan speaks out after Sauchie points deduction controversy
They have encouraged clubs hit with errors using the system to contact them to be reimbursed.
Sauchie Juniors, while not a member of the WOSFL, have backed the statement after they were hit with a 15-point deduction due to fielding ineligible players.
Fraser Duncan insists his side did everything by the book and reached out to the SFA repeatedly for help on how to work COMET, to no reply.
A statement read: “We at Sauchie Juniors knew that when we received our 15-point deduction due to ongoing COMET issues, that this was just the start and certainly not the end by any means.
“Subsequently, there has been several teams now deducted points because of similar incidents, more so in the West of Scotland Football League.
“We are wholeheartedly in agreement with the below statement that was released from the sponsor.
“Just the start, certainly not the end.”
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