Libreville, Gabon — The Ligue Nationale de Football Professionnel (Linafp) has refuted claims of an ongoing appeal from the Union Sportive de Bitam (USB) concerning the points deduction imposed on the club following the 7th round of the National-Foot 1 competition.
The Gabonese Football Federation (FEGAFOOT) affiliate clarified its stance in a statement released on Monday, April 20, 2026.
In a statement, Linafp emphasized that no formal appeal has been lodged with the league secretariat within the 72-hour window required by the National-Foot 1 regulations.
The league also noted that the USB’s reference to a “formal appeal “regarding the player Yannick Aboghé is merely a letter to the secretariat, lacking any legal standing under the current framework.
The USB, which has faced a tumultuous season, was suspended in March 2026 over leadership disputes before being reinstated.
However, the club’s woes persisted when it incurred a technical loss against FC 105 due to fielding 12 unqualified players, a move that exacerbated its battle against relegation.
The club is also currently under a FIFA recruitment ban for unpaid wages dating back to 2018. Linafp maintains that the sanctions against USB were implemented in accordance with the regulations and were both transparent and fair.
The league body’s denial of the appeal suggests that the USB’s concerns have not been recognized by the regulatory body.
The situation has sparked discussions about USB’s leadership and administrative structure, as well as the implications of the FIFA recruitment ban on the club’s ability to field a competitive team.
The points deduction and technical losses could significantly impact USB’s prospects in the National-Foot 1.
As of now, it remains unclear how the club’s fan base and stakeholders are responding to these developments, and further details on the club’s administrative status and potential outcomes are awaited.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 2*
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By This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: Agpgabon
Source: Redaction
