South African soccer is not in need of another ugly controversy right now, but with the South African Football Association (Safa) appeal board on Sunday postponing for a week Kaizer Chiefs’ appeal to reverse a decision by the Premier Soccer League (PSL) forcing them to play two homes games in front of empty stadiums, all hell is likely to break loose.
Observers have suggested the reason Chiefs asked for the postponement of their appeal was so that the high-profile PSL game against Mamelodi Sundowns at the FNB Stadium on Sunday could be played with spectators present — and a crowd in the vicinity of 50 000 would confidently be predicted under normal circumstances.
But PSL prosecutor Zola Majavu claims Chiefs are ”barking up the wrong tree” if this, in fact, is the case — with the R100 000 fine and stadium shut-down imposed on Amakhosi remaining intact until, and if, it is over-turned on appeal.
”That is what the PSL constitution stipulates,” added Majavu. ”Until it is overruled, Chiefs must abide by the verdict of the PSL disciplinary committee.”
Chiefs general manager Bobby Motaung, however, wasted little time in announcing that spectators would be allowed to attend the Chiefs-Sundowns game on Sunday — based on the claim that while the appeal is in progress, the penalties imposed by the PSL cannot be put into effect.
Safa has been widely criticised for allowing the postponement on the grounds that Chiefs need time to prepare their case — particularly as Amakhosi made no request for additional time when the matter was heard at PSL level more than two weeks ago.
”Once again, Safa has been made a laughing stock,” said one official. ”This matter should have been finalised long ago. Now we are told there is going to be another postponement. It’s simply a case of Safa shooting themselves in the foot again — and South African soccer is feeling the pain.” — Sapa