July 26 – The South African Premier Soccer League (PSL) remains in a limbo after a decision on Ajax’s bid to prevent the start of the new domestic season was postponed to today. The Cape Town-based club is seeking to clarify if they are a topflight or second-tier club.
The club are accused of fielding Tendai Ndoro during the 2017/18 season. Ajax was Ndoro’s third club that season, breaking FIFA regulations stipulating players can only play for two clubs in the same league in a single season.
Advocate William Mokhari heard the case and stripped Ajax of points in matches against Platinum Stars, SuperSport United and Polokwane City, handing the results to their opponents with 3-0 scorelines. As a result, Ajax dropped into the automatic relegation places.
Ajax, who have previously admitted their guilt in the case, argue that Mohkari’s punishment was disproportional.
On Monday the PSL released the fixture for the new season, with Ajax in the second division. But with appeals on-going, it looks increasingly unlikely that the PSL will get underway on time despite league organisers keen to push on with the season start.
The league will petition Judge Denise Fisher in Gauteng with the aim that the decision to set aside an arbitration ruling of Advocate William Mokhari in the matter involving Tendai Ndoro on the basis that he was the wrong authority to hear the case was made in error. Fisher ruled that the FIFA’s Player status Committee is the relevant authority and must hear the case.
FIFA have long stated that the PSL and the South African FA have the necessary tools and mechanisms to deal with the issue, but the case has been ongoing since January and has reached reaching boiling point with the PSL slated to begin on August 3.
Ajax want the case to be taken to FIFA whereas the PSL hope Mokhari’s decision will be confirmed, leaving the club with only CAS as a final resort.
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