PSL confirm MTN8 games after judge grants leave to appeal ruling on Ajax Cape Town

CAPE TOWN – The Premier Soccer League were quick out of the blocks on Thursday to confirm the MTN8 fixtures after a high court judge granted them leave to appeal her ruling on the Ajax Cape Town matter.

Judge Denise Fisher said at the South Gauteng High Court on Thursday that she granted the PSL leave to appeal her judgement on July 2, where she set aside arbitrator Advocate William Mokhari’s decision with regards to Tendai Ndoro’s eligibility to play for Ajax last season.

Mokhari found that Ndoro was ineligible as he had already played for three clubs in the same season, which is against Fifa’s rules.

He penalised Ajax Cape Town by awarding three points each to Platinum Stars, Polokwane City and SuperSport United in the games Ndoro played.

Fisher, though, set Mokhari’s ruling aside as she found he did not have jurisdiction over the matter, and that it must be dealt with by the Fifa Players’ Status Committee.

The PSL applied for leave to appeal Fisher’s decision, and was granted that on Thursday.

Ajax Cape Town subsequently also decided to withdraw their bid for an interdict to stop the league from starting next week Saturday, August 4.

“The PSL is able to confirm that: Judge Fisher of the Gauteng High Court today granted the League leave to appeal against her judgement of the 2nd of July 2018,” the governing body said in a statement.

“Ajax Cape Town withdrew their urgent application to interdict the start of the 2018/19 season in open court and will pay the League’s costs of the application. The season will commence as scheduled.”

The PSL then confirmed the MTN8 fixtures. Mamelodi Sundowns will face Kaizer Chiefs in the PSL opener on August 4, and Masandawana will also kick off the MTN8 a week later against Golden Arrows.