A ruling handed down by the North Gauteng High Court in a dispute between Motorsport South Africa and the World of Motorsport ZA may have implications far beyond the motorsport arena.
MSA, recognised by the International Automobile Federation as the governing body of motorsport in South Africa, had made an application to the high court to order the World of Motorsport, which is not affiliated to MSA, to cease running unsanctioned race meetings and drifting competitions at the Rock Raceway in Benoni, east of Johannesburg.
The court on Saturday dismissed the application with costs, meaning that MSA no longer has the sole and exclusive right to organise and promote motorsport in South Africa.
Leaving aside the obvious questions raised in terms of championships, international recognition, competition licences and medical cover, the implication is that, in terms of this decision, SAFA no longer has the sole and exclusive right to organise and promote football in South Africa, nor does Sascoc have the final say over who goes to the Olympics.
MSA in its reaction to the judgement questioned both the constitutionality and the enforceability of the decision, pointing out that it may have “unintended and far-reaching consequences not only for motorsport, but for all National Federations seized with the administration and control of particular sporting codes”.
It said that when it had studied the full transcript of the judgment, which had not yet been handed down, it would consider its position with regard to an appeal.