Two days after threatening to withdraw from competing in their first ever topflight campaign, Pepiniere FC have acted. In protest of Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA) decision barring the club from hosting matches at their home ground, Pepiniere FC on Friday officially pulled out of the national league.

The development was confirmed to Saturday Sport by the club president Jean-Marie Munyankumburwa who revealed that they have decided to withdraw from the national football league with effect from Friday, December 30, 2016.

"We have officially withdrawn from the national league. We have already submitted a letter to FERWAFA to inform them of our decision and we have also released all the players and coaching staff immediately,” said Munyankumburwa.

Reports about the Ruyenzi based club pull-out started  last Saturday after the club failed to show up at Kicukiro Stadium where they were supposed to play AS Kigali in the national league and as a result, FERWAFA awarded forfeit points to the ‘visitors.’

Pepiniere was supposed to host AS Kigali at Ruyenzi ground but FERWAFA changed the venue over allegations that Ruyenzi ground was not in good condition. Through an ad hoc committee in charge of approving match venues, the federation ruled that the Ruyenzi pitch in its current shape, does not meet conditions to host any national league match.

In response, Pepiniere declined to travel to Kigali for the match at Kicukiro ground. Pepiniere denied the FERWAFA allegations with Munyankumburwa disclosing that the letter did not specify what was wrong with pitch, which prompted them to seek clarification from the federation through a letter, which was never responded to.

This decision also affected Gicumbi FC that also later threatened to pull out, however according to FERWAFA media officer Bonnie Mugabe, their issue has been addressed.

Mugabe revealed that Gicumbi have rehabilitated their ground and will likely host their next game in Gicumbi for the first time this season. The club has been playing their ‘home’ league matches at Mumena stadium, the home of league rivals SC Kiyovu.

"For Gicumbi, the inspection found that the progress is good though few things still have to be finalized but by Tuesday next week, there will be a final inspection and we hope they will get a positive response,” said Mugabe.

Regarding the letter from Pepiniere, he noted that, "I can confirm that we have received a letter from Pepiniere. However it has been signed by someone else, who is not their known club president, so we can’t give value to that letter until they inform us according to the law.”

Pepiniere FC won the second division league last season after beating Eastern Province-based Kirehe FC in the final; nonetheless both teams were promoted to the topflight division for the first time in their history.

After 10 games played, Pepiniere have lost nine and drawn one leaving them at the bottom of the 16-team table standing with one point.

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