A mess, an almighty mess, that’s what it is - and, unfortunately, the latest debacle is symptomatic of local football’s bizarre penchant for shooting itself in the foot.
Now, after a high court judge set aside Safa
arbitrator William Mokhari’s verdict with regard to the eligibility of former Ajax Cape Town striker Tendai Ndoro, the PSL is in a real quandary.
At an arbitration hearing in May, Mokhari docked points from Ajax for fielding Ndoro, who played for three clubs last season. His verdict resulted in the club being relegated from the PSL. Judge Denise Fisher, though, on Monday overturned Mokhari’s call, thereby reinstating Ajax to their original 15th position on the log. Now, the PSL has to box cleverly - and quickly.
According to Judge Fisher, the Ndoro case has to be handled by the Fifa players’ status committee for a final and binding ruling. But it is important to note that, on two previous occasions, Fifa sent the matter back to South Africa’s football authorities.
While the PSL has a few options, time is not on their side. They could appeal the verdict or take it back to Fifa and see what transpires.
It’s more than likely that Fifa will send it back to SA, as before, and we will have to start the process all over again. With Ajax now in a play-offs position, because of time constraints the PSL certainly can’t replay the play-offs, which were won by Black
Leopards. In any case, if they decide to do so, it could lead to more court action.
The new PSL season kicks off in a month and, to satisfy sponsors and for the integrity of the PSL, an amicable solution has to be found.
The PSL’s executive committee met on the issue yesterday - so it’s a waiting game to see what the PSL decides to do.
For us, from the outside looking in, it’s patently clear that compromise is the only way out. The PSL cannot afford, at this stage of the proceedings, to drag the matter out any further.