Johannesburg - Maritzburg United chairman Farook Kadodia on Friday labelled the decision by an arbitrator not to punish rivals Jomo Cosmos by docking them points in a case of improperly registering a player “a joke” ahead of an Absa Premiership relegation decider between the two sides at Olen Park in Potchefstroom.
Cosmos were found guilty of “misconduct in that they breached the rules of the league, the regulations of Safa and the regulations of Fifa” for fielding goalkeeper Thabo Modiba without a proper international clearance certificate from his former club in Namibia.
The most severe punishment would have been docking Ezenkosi three points, but the Premier Soccer League confirmed late on Friday afternoon that Hilton Epstein, the arbitrator, had ordered the club to pay a R200 000 fine instead.
Modiba has also been immediately suspended for nine matches in all South African football divisions under the Safa umbrella.
“I haven’t seen anything like this in my entire life in football. It’s a joke,” said Kadodia when asked for his comment on the outcome of a case that dragged on for over a week.
”Rule 59 clearly states that if a player is improperly registered but is still fielded, the team should be docked points. So I am very disappointed in how the arbitrator applied his mind. And I also understand that Jomo (Sono, the Cosmos owner and coach) pleaded guilty, which is even worse.
”Maritzburg could still be automatically relegated to the National First Division today if they lose to Cosmos and bottom side University of Pretoria beat Golden Arrows at the Tuks Stadium at the same time.
Cosmos have 25 points and occupy third-last position, with Maritzburg a point behind. All three clubs are still in danger of being relegated and only one will avoid the drop or the promotion/relegation play-offs.Kadodia, whose club has been relegated once before, in 2007, said Friday’s outcome had dented the reputation of the PSL.
”The league’s credibility has now come under scrutiny and this has set a bad precedent for situations similar to this one. No club will ever want to be docked points if found guilty of the same offence.
”I have nothing personal against Jomo, but I know if it was us this would have been handled differently.”But the bottom line is that we have to go out there (Saturday) and do our job on the field to save the club from being relegated.
”Cosmos will be relieved as they only need a draw to maintain their PSL status for another season, having been promoted last year from the NFD for the umpteenth time.
Platinum Stars were docked a point and fined R50 000 last month for fielding defender Siyabonga Zulu in a match against Mamelodi Sundowns earlier in the season even though the player was ineligible to play.
The arbitrator ruled that:
*Cosmos pay a fine of R200 000;
*Modiba be suspended immediately for nine matches;
*Cosmos will pay Safa and the PSL for the costs of the arbitrator.
The Star