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Castle ban revoked . . . but it's not over yet

Beleagured PHC coach Jack Castle has had a six-month ban quashed on a technicality but has been ordered to re-appear before a disciplinary committee to answer the same charges of displaying "disorderly conduct" towards senior club executives at a Warwick bar on October 19.

Castle was originally found guilty of throwing a drink in the faces of Zebras' executives Sandra Bean and Patricia Seymour and swearing at PHC vice-president Mark Wade and "suspended from all Pembroke Hamilton Club affiliations for a period of six months commencing on the 14th November and ending on the 14th April, 2009)".

However, a PHC appeals committee overruled the ban after determining that the composition of the disciplinary committee had in fact contravened Article XII, Section Two of the club's constitution which clearly states that all standing committees – in this instance the disciplinary committee – "shall consist of not less than three ordinary financial members".

Only PHC vice-president Wade and disciplinary committee chairman Michael Trott presided over Castle's hearing before executives took a vote to decide what punishment to impose.

Castle had also argued that the involvement of Wade, Bean and Seymour in the disciplinary proceedings was a conflict of interest as the trio were all directly linked to last month's alleged incident at Warwick Lanes, the club's temporary home.

The appeals committee decided that "constitutional due process" did not take place during Castle's November 6 disciplinary hearing.

The ex-Zebras defender again declined to comment to The Royal Gazette yesterday. However, it is understood he strongly opposes to being retried for the same offence and is believed to have contemplated seeking legal advice.

In a letter, Bean alleged that Castle swore at herself, Seymour, Wade and Zebras skipper Chris Furbert jr and then threw a drink in the faces of both herself and Seymour before being escorted off the premesis by security personnel.

"The most hurting thing about this is that the coach (Kyle Lightbourne), players, members and fans witnessed this," she wrote. "This does not look good being a member of the club for the assistant coach (Castle) to carry on like this and I think something should be done to set an example."

PHC vice-president Wade has also declined to comment on the matter.

Castle took part in Zebras' final preparations for tomorrow's home encounter with Hamilton Parish at Southampton Oval where he is expected to continue his role on the bench as Lightbourne's deputy.

PHC president and Bermuda Industrial Union leader Chris Furbert sr was written up by senior referee Anthony Mouchette just hours before Castle's alleged incident at Warwick Lanes following Zebras' 2-1 home loss to Dandy Town last month.

Furbert has since been summoned to appear before a Bermuda Football Association's (BFA) disciplinary committee on charges of making "rude and disrespectful" remarks at the referee.

Earlier this month local football's governing body reiterated its "zero tolerance" stance for "any negative behaviour directed towards referees".