Rwatubyaye, Imanishimwe face FERWAFA ban over illegal transfers

RWANDA internationals Abdul Rwatubyaye and Emmanuel Imanashimwe could be banned by Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA) after they appeared on squad lists of both Rayon Sports and APR for the 2016/2017 season that starts on October 14. Rayon Sports released a list of 27 players for next season including Rwatubyaye and Imanishimwe, yet the duo is also reported to be on the APR squad list. Amavubi center-back Rwatubyaye signed a two year-deal with Rayon Sports crossing from archrivals APR FC, but disappeared even before the ink had dried on his contract paper. Rwatubyaye started his career in APR football academy in 2009 before graduating to the senior team—last season, his first full season in the first team, he led the club to a record-extending 16th league title. Left-back Imanishimwe could be in trouble with the local football governing body after signing for three different clubs, including; AFC Leopards of Kenya, Rayon Sports and APR. Imanishimwe is reported to have signed a two-year deal with AFC Leopards in June, then a month later Rayon Sports posted a photo as the player was signing a contract extension in the presence of club president Denis Gacinya and SG, Olivier Gakwaya. However, just 48 hours later, the 22-year old, who joined Rayon from second division side ASPOR in 2014, signed a separate two-year deal with APR FC worth Rwf8m and will be earning Rwf500, 000 per month. Rayon Sports appealed to FERWAFA to intervene and the federation promised look into the issue and make their final decision before the start of the national football league. If any player is found guilty of intentionally breaching Article 28 that governs the players’ transfer rules, the player in question is liable to a one-year ban from the local league. Article 28 states that “any player who will sign two contracts for different clubs shall face a one-year suspension from the Rwanda national football league.” According to the rules, both Rwatubyaye and Imanishimwe cannot feature for either APR or Rayon Sports until their case is resolved. This is not the first time such controversies over player transfers have happened in Rwandan football. In 2008, Amavubi marksman Abedi Mulenda was banned by FERWAFA for one year after he signed for Rayon Sports and ATRACO FC. Other players whose transfer raised controversy include that of Jean Claude Iranzi from SC Kiyovu to APR, Kalisa Kase from Rayon Sports to ATRACO and Arafat Serugendo from Mukura VS to APR. Rayon squad for 2016/2017 season: Abouba Bashunga, Emmanuel Imanishimwe, Eric Irambona, Issa Zappy Ishimwe Mugheni Fabrice Kakure, Pierrot Kwizera, Djabel Manishimwe, Shasir Nahimana, Mussa Camara, François Mugisha, Thierry Manzi, Frank Romami, Gonzarez Rutinywa, Abdul Rwatubyaye. Others are; Yves Rwigema, Yvan Senyange, Kevin Muhire, Fiston Munezero, Evariste Mutuyimana, Eric Bakame Ndayishimiye, Olivier Seff Niyonzima, Ange Mutsinzi, Nova Bayama, Xavio Dominique Nshuti, Idrissa Nsengiyumva, Nsengiyumva Mustapha and Jean d’ Amour Ndayisenga. editorial@newtimes.co.rw