The PSL Disciplinary Committee has fined Marumo Gallants R200,000 for fielding an ineligible player during the 2024/25 season. This decision means Bahlabane Ba Ntwa’s league position for the 2024/25 season remains unchanged.
The case was referred back to the DC after a SAFA arbitration ruled in favour of relegated Cape Town City FC. CT City had raised concerns about the improper registration of Gallants midfielder Monde Mphambaniso.
As a result, PSL prosecutor Zola Majavu ruled on Thursday evening that the Bloemfontein-based club will face only a fine of R200,000, with 50% of it suspended for 24 months.
“I can confirm that a short while ago, the PSL DC just finalised a disciplinary matter in which I had preferred charges of misconduct against Marumo Gallants Football Club as well as its player, Mr Monde Mphambaniso,” Majavu said. “This case stemmed from the registration of Mr Mphambaniso, which was procured by Marumo Gallants without the required clearance certificate in accordance with the rules of the league.”
Bahlabane Ba Ntwa admitted guilt and were subsequently penalised.
MARUMO GALLANTS FINED R200 000, HALF SUSPENDED
“Coming to the issue of sanction, having listened to the evidence in aggravation as well as the evidence in mitigation and the prevailing contextual background pertaining to this matter, which I must hasten to add that was subjected to a variety of disciplinary proceedings, served before various appeal tribunals, including a recent arbitration which resulted in a directive by the arbitrator that they be charged,” he added.
Majavu added that the DC had ruled that “Marumo Gallants be fined an amount of R200,000”. However, half of the amount is immediately payable, and the other half is suspended for 24 months on condition that during the period of suspension, they are not found guilty of the same offence again.
If they reoffend, the suspended portion will be triggered immediately, resulting in further sanctions for the subsequent misdemeanour. They were also instructed to bear the costs of the DC hearing.
Meanwhile, the player at the centre of the saga, Mphambaniso, “was found not guilty and …. no sanction was meted out to him.”
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