Dialog League rugby champs Kandy Sports Club could face a ban should they pull-out of next week’s Clifford Cup knock-out tournament over a dispute with venues.
At a tournament committee meeting of Sri Lanka Rugby early his week Kandy said they will not contest the Clifford Cup unless matches are played at their home ground in Nittawela instead of Pallekele.
But deputy president of Sri Lanka Rugby Rizly Illyas said Kandy had no right to dictate where the matches should be played which amounts to a violation of a decision taken by its Council.
“If Kandy pull out they will be banned and there is no question about it,” said Illyas. “The matches will be played at neutral venues (in Colombo and Pallekele) and all clubs are in agreement except Kandy. The Clifford Cup is a tournament conducted by Sri Lanka Rugby and we have decided to play the matches at neutral venues.”
The final is scheduled for March 24 either in Pallekele or the Race Course ground if two Colombo teams contest the decider.
The Clifford Cup is the oldest rugby trophy in the country.
Match Schedule:
Quarter finals:(4 pm)
March 15: CR and FC vs Police at Race Course ground
March 16: Kandy vs Air Force at Pallekele
March 16: CH vs Army at Race Course ground
March 17: Havelocks vs Navy at Race Course ground
Semi finals:
March 19: Winner of quarter final 1 vs quarter final 2 at Pallekele
March 21: Winner of quarter final 3 vs quarter final 4 at Race Course ground
Final (March 24) at Pallekele or Race Course ground (4pm)