Five Haig Fawkner players have been deregistered but vote to expel VTCA club postponed

In a fiery annual general meeting, a decision to expel Haig Fawkner from the Victorian Turf Cricket Association was postponed but five players were deregistered.

Five Haig Fawkner players have been deregistered from the Victorian Turf Cricket Association.

However, a vote to expel the entire club from the association has been postponed after rivals expressed concerns over the ramifications.

The decisions were made at Wednesday night’s VTCA annual general meeting.

Haig Fawkner captain Vaib Deshpande, club great Amit Chaudhary, Shakeel Ahmad, Khalid Hassan and Muhammed Naeem were all banned from the association – although they can play in other competitions once their suspensions are served.

Deshpande was banned until mid 2023-24 while the others were suspended for the entire 2023-24 season.

Muhammad Naeem in action for Haig Fawnker. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Shakeel Ahmad in action for Haig Fawkner. Picture: Andy Brownbill

The vote was narrowly carried with 32 votes in favour and 21 opposed, while six clubs abstained.

Meanwhile, Haig Fawkner as a club remains in limbo.

New Haig president Tiziana Kosmak spoke before the vote, taking a number of questions from association and club representatives.

Despite the vote being brought by rival clubs there was not enough support in the room on the night, earning Haig a stay of execution.

Club presidents expressed concern that with Haig’s fight against the VTCA still before the courts, it could create future ramifications should the club be kicked out before the case is finalised.

A directions hearing was originally scheduled for Friday but has also been postponed after Haig’s legal team was forced to recuse itself having previously worked for the VTCA in drafting the association’s constitution.

A new offer to settle the issue out of court is expected to be made to try and bring an end to the long-running feud.

EXPLAINED: WHY HAIG FAWKNER IS FIGHTING FOR SURVIVAL

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VTCA: NEW PLAYER POINTS SYSTEM FOR LOCAL CRICKET COMP

As a result of Haig Fawkner’s legal battle, the VTCA is looking to make its tribunal more transparent ahead of the new season.

A proposal has been put to clubs to record and transcribe all tribunal hearings and make them accessible to the public to ensure issues don’t find their way to the courts again.

In the night’s other business, Wyndhamvale Cricket Club president Tony Torascio has been elected vice-president of the VTCA.

Clubs will also decide whether game starting times could be brought forward and the possible creation of a new Sunday competition that would allow First XI players to compete on both days of the weekend.