BASSETERRE – MFCR Old Road United Jets issued a blistering statement Sunday condemning the St. Kitts and Nevis Football Association’s decision to nullify their Final Four victory over Honda Newtown United and order a replay, calling the ruling “unprecedented, alarming” and raising “serious concerns about the integrity, consistency, and fairness of football administration” in the Federation.
The unbeaten defending champions, who secured their place in the championship finals with Saturday’s 3-2 victory over Azul Cayon Rockets, revealed they received less than 24 hours’ notice of a disciplinary hearing that resulted in the SKNFA Disciplinary & Ethics Committee overturning the result of a completed match. The club was notified at approximately 6:00 PM Friday about a hearing scheduled for 11:30 AM Saturday, with no prior access to match reports, evidence, or documentation outlining the basis of the protest.
“We find it extremely troubling that such a severe ruling could be handed down in a matter of hours, overturning the outcome of a completed match despite the fact that the SKNFA’s own disciplinary framework states that decisions taken by referees on the field are final except under very limited circumstances,” the club stated in its official release.
The controversy centers on Old Road’s 3-0 victory over Newtown in a Final Four match played Wednesday at the National Bank Group Technical Center, where Tiquanny Williams scored a hat-trick to propel the defending champions toward the finals. The SKNFA Disciplinary & Ethics Committee’s decision to nullify that result and mandate a replay has thrown the playoff tournament into uncertainty, with the championship finals between Old Road and Development Bank St. Peters scheduled for Wednesday.
Old Road expressed particular concern about the timing and competitive context of the ruling, noting that Newtown has lost all three Final Four matches played and currently sits at the bottom of the playoff standings with zero points. The statement questioned the justification for the extraordinary intervention given the competitive reality of the tournament.
“Even more concerning is the fact that Newtown United FC has lost all three Final Four matches played. The standings and competitive reality of the tournament make this extraordinary intervention even more difficult to understand or justify,” the statement read.
The club emphasized its unbeaten campaign throughout the season, having dominated the regular season without a single defeat and claimed the FA Cup trophy before entering the playoff stage. Old Road remains the only team in the Final Four without a loss, having secured maximum points through their playoff matches before Saturday’s officiating controversies sparked widespread criticism from fans.
“MFCR United Old Road Jets FC has fought tirelessly all season, remaining unbeaten through hard work, sacrifice, discipline, and commitment on and off the field. Our players, staff, sponsors, and supporters have earned their place in the Finals on merit,” the statement declared.
Old Road warned that the decision sets a dangerous precedent for football administration in St. Kitts and Nevis, arguing that the sport cannot operate under conditions of uncertainty and selective interpretation. The club stated it is reviewing all available options regarding the matter but maintained that the focus should remain on the scheduled championship finals rather than replaying a completed fixture.
“Football cannot operate on uncertainty, selective interpretation, or extraordinary measures that undermine public confidence in the competition. Decisions of this magnitude set a dangerous precedent for the future of the sport in our Federation,” the statement continued.
The club concluded by reaffirming its position that the rightful focus should be on the NBG Premier League Finals, not the replaying of a completed Final Four fixture under what it characterized as deeply questionable circumstances. Old Road thanked its supporters, sponsors, and the wider Old Road community for their backing during the controversy.
The SKNFA has not issued a public response to Old Road’s statement as of press time. The ruling comes amid growing criticism of officiating standards during the Final Four, where fans vocally protested questionable referee decisions.
The controversy threatens to overshadow what should be the culmination of an exceptional season for Old Road, who are pursuing a historic treble after claiming both the Premier League Regular Season title and FA Cup trophy. Old Road entered the playoffs as overwhelming favorites and have maintained their unbeaten record throughout the campaign.