COURT RULES IN FAVOUR OF OTTAWA WIZARDS
Injunction goes against soccer's decision
The Ontario Superior Court today ruled in favour of an application by Ottawa Wizards for an injunction to lift a suspension imposed yesterday by the Canadian Professional Soccer League (CPSL). The CPSL placed the Wizards under suspension on orders from the Ontario Soccer Association after the Ottawa team failed to comply with a CSA Appeals Committee decision of June 22.

The Eastern Ontario District Soccer Association, to which the Wizards are affiliated, had required the OZ Dome Sports Club, property belonging to the team owners, to pay indoor player registration fees during a time the club was not in membership. This ruling was appealed by the CPSL to the Ontario Soccer Association and that decision went in favour of the OZ group. It was subsequently overturned by the CSA committee, however, following an appeal by the EODSA.

CPSL president Vincent Ursini was pleased with the court's decision to allow one of his teams to continue playing for a two-week period during which hopefully, the matter can be resolved. While he did not want to comment on the specifics of the case, he did say: "There are aspects of this case I intend to bring to the attention of the governing bodies in the hope these disputes can continue to be worked out within the confines of soccer."

Events such as this can be very stressful and divisive and we must work towards avoiding a case such as this going so far."

The suspension of Ottawa Wizards, a team with just one league defeat and entry to the League Cup semi-finals in what has been a very successful first half of the season, is lifted for a period of two weeks to August 10 during which time an attempt will be made to seek a resolution.

Named as respondents in the court order were the Canadian Soccer Association, the Ontario Soccer Association and the Eastern Ontario District Soccer Association.  The Honourable Justice Rutherford ruled that these three governing bodies must allow the Wizards to continue playing.

The Wizards were en route to Toronto for games this weekend while deliberations were being made in the Ottawa court. Ottawa meets Toronto Olympians at Birchmount Stadium in Scarborough, on Saturday, a 2 p.m. kickoff, then move to Esther Shiner Stadium in North York on Sunday for a clash with the Astros at 4 p.m.

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