Primeiro De Maio Kicked Out Of Angolan Girabola Championship

Primeiro de Maio have been expelled from the Angola Girobola Championship over failure to honour matches.

Confirming the expulsion, the Angolan Football Federation (FAF) on Friday afternoon said they took the decision after Primeiro de Maio also known as  1º de Maio failed to honour matches against Santa Rita and Academia do Lobito.

The decision means that the Benguela-based side will no longer be taking part in the Girabola Zap competition this season.

“Following the league disciplinary council’s review on matchday 15 game between  Primeiro de Maio and Santa Rita which was scheduled to be played on Sunday, December 22, 2019, it was noted the away club, de Maio, failed to honour the match,” reads the statement from FAF.

The statement further stated that the club president Rui Araújo has been suspended from football activity for three years and a fine of 3 million Angolan Kwanza (USD 6,250).

Primeiro de Maio are facing major financial problems that have resulted in players going for seven months without pay.

The club was founded in 1980 following the merger of Estrela Vermelha de Benguela and 1º de Maio Sports Group. It was renamed Primeiro de Maio after it was acquired by a local textile factory.

In its history, Primeiro de Maio won the Angolan Cup in 1982 and 2007, national first division championship in year 1983 and 1985 as well as two Super Cups.

In African competitions, it was the first Angolan team to reach a CAF Confederation Cup finals.