Uncertainty over ABC Motsepe League playoffs semi-final fixture
SAFA faces uncertainty over one of the ABC Motsepe League National Playoffs semi-final fixtures on Saturday following a late legal challenge lodged on Friday evening.
The draw for the semi-final was conducted at the Soshanguve Hotel on Friday, hours after the completion of the group stage matches. The delay was due to the complaint laid by Midlands Wanderers from KwaZulu-Natal.
Gomora United are paired with Zizwe at 11:00 AM, while The Bess will play Thames at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday at 15:00. They are fighting for three spots in the Motsepe Foundation Championship.
Midlands finished with one point alongside fellow group A side Zizwe United from the Western Cape. The two teams also finished with a goal each. They are fighting for the best runners-up spit.
SAFA CONFIRMS THAT ANOTHER CLUB HAS SOUGHT ARBITRATION
According to SAFA, Zizwe were then awarded a second-place finish and subsequently secured a spot in the semi-finals due to a disciplinary record.
“They have launched arbitration,” SAFA competitions committee member Chris Chawana told FARPost after the draw.
“According to the regulations of ABC Motsepe, it gives them permission to seek arbitration if they are not happy. So they have sought arbitration now, which they have also complied.
“The legal department of SAFA is busy dealing with the matter for the arbitration to sit. So it’s likely that the first game involving Zizwe might be postponed due to the arbitration up until the outcomes of the case,” he said.
CLUBS EXPRESS FRUSTRATIONS OVER ‘CONTRADICTION’ OF THE ABC MOTSEPE LEAGUE PLAYOFFS RULES
Midlands argues that SAFA are contradicting their own rules, which were amended especially for this year’s playoffs.
“It’s very clear, guys. I am not a legal person; I am just a person who is into football. But that prescription did not even need me to consult any legal person. It clearly says the first game would determine who goes with the other three teams,” said Midlands Wanderers chairman a coach Masenti Myeni.
Meanwhile, Zizwe says they are satisfied with the decision and look forward to playing further in the playoffs.
“The decision has been taken in line with the rules. So I am comfortable that the draw is going to proceed,” said club official Sithandiwe Bobotyana.
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