Why we are doing what we are doing!
Los Angeles Soccer Club
March 26, 2004

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The members and Board of Directors of Dallol Sports Club in Los Angeles would like the Ethiopian community at large to be aware of the dispute that exists between The Club and The Ethiopian Sports Federation in North America (ESFNA).

BACKGROUND

Dallol Sports club was established in 1990. The club has participated in 13 annual Ethiopian Soccer Tournaments and has registered impressive results. In 1995 The Club was awarded the trophy for 3rd place finish and in 1996 it narrowly lost in the final placing 2nd. Dallols contribution goes beyond the playing field where it was a major force in the push for ESFNA to adopt a BY-law after 19 years of not having one.

Dallol was wrongfully sanctioned by ESFNA and was not afforded an opportunity to be heard pursuant to ESFNA's Disciplinary Code.

On Saturday evening of June 28, 2003 the individual responsible for producing players' identification was approached by a Dallol representative requesting the production of two ID's for two of its players prior to the "customary deadline". Nevertheless, the individual refused to produce the ID's and directed the issue to The President and Secretary of ESFNA.

On Monday June 30, 2003 The Executive Committee held a hearing and produced a written order directing the above mentioned individual to produce ID's for the Two Players.

On Tuesday July 1, 2003 the Two Players competed in a game against San Jose. Dallol defeated San Jose 1-0.

On Wednesday July 2, 2003 ESFNA held a board meeting in which the members of the board invalidated the Executive committee's June 30, 2003 written order, forced Dallol to forfeit its July, 2003 victory over San Jose and disqualified the Two Players for the next game against Atlanta. Dallol played Atlanta without the Two Players and the game ended in a tie score of 4-4.

It's fundamentally unfair and unconscionable to punish Dallol for the decision made by the Executive Committee. Dallol relied upon the Executive Committee's June 30, 2003 decision and permitted the Two Players to participate in the July 1, 2003 game against San Jose. ESFNA is punishing Dallol for simply doing what it was allowed to do by way of ESFNA's Executive Committee. Had the Executive Committee simply not issued the written order and players ID, Dallol would not have permitted the Two Players to participate in the game and Dallol would not have been sanctioned by ESFNA.

On Thursday July, 2003 the Disciplinary Committee sanctioned Dallol with $2,500 fine and stipulated the Dallol shall be suspended from participating in ESFNA's 2004 annual tournament if the fine is not paid by " the next ESFNA General Board meeting." The Disciplinary Committee in it's July 4, 2003 decision fails to state any factual and/or legal bases for its decision, fails to state any reasoning supporting its decision. Further more, fails to state any allegations against Dallol.

On July 4, 2003 the same day of the Disciplinary Committee's decision, the Appeals Committee rendered another decision against Dallol, sanctioning Dallol $5,000 and declaring Dallol's match against Atlanta to be null and void. Again, the Appeals Committee just like the Disciplinary Committee rendered its decision against Dallol without providing neither notice nor an opportunity to be heard.

The same day, July 4, 2003 Dallol provided timely oral and written notice to ESFNA that it intended to appeal the decisions of the Committees. Dallol also paid proper fees at this time. Repeated attempts by Dallol to get response from ESFNA have failed.

On January 17 and 18, 2004 ( the next ESFNA meeting in Seattle), despite the fact that Dallol's appeal was on the agenda to be discussed, Dallols representatives were denied the opportunity to state their case and were told the decision was final. When in frustration on of Dallols representative cried out" where do we go to appeal this from here?" one of the Board members was heard saying " there is nobody above us, may be God."

On February 13, 2004 Dallol Sports Club wrote a 32 page letter to ESFNA's Executive Committee, once again, to reconsider its decision and hear Dallols side. This letter was written by Dallols legal council. The response we received from ESFNA's legal council simply stated that their decision was final and not open for negotiation.

This, by the way , is not the first incident between Dallol and ESFNA. At the 18th annual tournament in 2001, that was held in San Jose, California, Dallol advanced to the semi-final match to play against the team from Maryland. ESFNA officials, true to their form, permitted a player with a forged ID to play for Maryland. Dallol lost the match 2-1. When Dallol filed a complaint immediately, as usual there was no answer. Six month later ESFNA wrote Dallol an apology letter. Talk about " Jib Ka Lefe Wusha Chohe'

The following year, at the 2002 tournament that was held in Washington, D.C., Dallol again advanced to the semi-final match to play against the team from the city of San Francisco. In the second half of the game, after playing for about ten minutes, the team from San Francisco abruptly left the field. Dallol was ahead 3-1 at that time. To date, no meaningful disciplinary action has been taken against the San Francisco team. Incidentally, the San Francisco team representative is a member of the Disciplinary Committee that is wrongfully sanctioning Dallol.

Dear Readers

Dallol Sports Club is not out to destroy the organization as they would like you to believe. We simply have no choice at this time but to go to a court of law for justice. To this date Dallol has not filed a suit.

ESFNA has displayed an obvious contempt for abiding by its own Bylaws and Disciplinary Codes. ESFNA is conducting business in an arrogant and reckless manner and is solely responsible for any outcome in this matter.

Dallol Sports Club wants the Ethiopian community to know that it is committed to go the distance to protect its interest and the interest of the other teams. ESFNA must be held responsible for its actions and we are confident that we will have the support of the community at large.

Thank you!

Members and Board of Directors of Dallol Sports Club
Los Angeles, California