Naparima and St Benedict's Colleges were both fined $500 each for their roles in altering the approved uniforms of the Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) last week.
At a meeting of General Council of the SSFL, which comprised a cross-section of the principals from the various schools on Monday at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Balmain, Couva, the fines were agreed upon, in spite of a recommendation by the league's executives, for the teams to receive no penalty.
Last week the principals of both Naparima and St Benedict's offered apologies for the breach of the use of the uniforms on the opening day of the SSFL. The teams were also allowed to keep the results of their respective matches against St Mary's College, a 3-0 victory and Trinity College East, a 1-2 loss.
A release on Monday states: "The General Council unanimously accepted the verbal and written apologies from Naparima College and St. Benedict’s College. Notwithstanding the apologies preferred by Naparima College and St. Benedict’s College after extensive discussions the General Council cautioned, censured and imposed a fine of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) each on the two (2) schools."
It noted, "Sponsorship/Branding Proposals shall be prepared by the League after consultation with all schools which shall be presented to the Sponsors for discussion on 29th December 2019."
The fine was a mere slap on the wrist for the schools, after SportsMax had threatened to stay away from the matches of Naps and Benedict's. Meanwhile, executives of the league have assured that any school found guilty of breaches of rules and laws of the SSFL will be subjected to an immediate suspension.
The teams will plunge into action for the third round in the Premier Division tomorrow.