Crisis deepens as dispute halts promotion play-offs

THE PSL's reputation and operational integrity hang in the balance as stakeholders grapple with uncertainty, while disputes surrounding the Motsepe Foundation Championship (National First Division) escalate daily.

- MATSHELANE MAMABOLO

Two weeks ago, the PSL announced that the promotion-relegation play-offs would commence on Tuesday. How-ever, this will not go ahead due to a tense standoff involving teams who claim that the Championship winners, Durban City, fielded an improperly registered player, Saziso Magawana, during the season.

Cape Town Spurs and the Tshwane-based JDR Stars are the Championship clubs leading the legal challenge. Last week, the PSL’s disciplinary committee dismissed JDR Stars’ case.

The PSL prosecutor, advocate Zola Majavu, confirmed the dismissal but stated that the club could appeal the outcome, which Stars promptly did.

Majavu said: “Out of an abundance of caution, the league, represented by myself as the prosecutor, directed all parties that in the event they wished to exercise their appeal rights, such appeals must be referred directly and immediately to arbitration.”