The South African Football Players Union [SAFPU] has cautioned against the possible negative implications for players in the Moroka Swallows and Marumo Gallants status saga.
This comes after Betway Premiership side Gallants were served with legal papers challenging the top-flight status the club acquired through the purchase of Swallows.
Swallows reportedly intend to formally cancel the sale of their status to Gallants after the latter failed to meet the financial obligations of the sale.
HOW MARUMO GALLANTS OBTAINED THE MOROKA SWALLOWS STATUS
The Dube Birds sold their Premiership status to Gallants for around R40 million in 2024. The deal was reportedly structured into three parts: R20 million paid upfront, R10 million designated to settle Swallows’ tax obligations with SARS, and R10 million earmarked for outstanding player and staff debts.
It has since emerged that Gallants have failed to settle both the tax obligations and outstanding player debts, prompting the Swallows owners, including David Mogashoa, to approach the courts.
SAFPU CALLS ENGAGES THE PREMIER SOCCER LEAGUE FOR CLARITY
In a strong statement issued on Wednesday, SAFPU said it was also engaging with the Premier Soccer League [PSL] to better understand the merits of the matter.
“While the matter may be subject to legal and contractual processes between the respective parties, SAFPU wishes to make it clear that footballers and technical staff must not become victims of boardroom disputes, ownership battles, or administrative failures,” the union said.
“Players are workers whose livelihoods, careers, and families depend on the stability of the football industry, and the union will not tolerate situations where their employment, income, or mental well-being are placed at risk due to avoidable uncertainty or process-related issues.
“In this regard, SAFPU is engaging with the Premier Soccer League to better understand the merits of the matter and the approach to be taken, with the aim of safeguarding the integrity, credibility, and overall stability of the PSL brand.”
In addition, the footballers’ union added: “SAFPU calls for urgent, transparent, and decisive action to ensure that all contractual obligations towards players and staff are honoured. No player is left without income, employment, or contractual protection and the integrity of the competition is preserved through firm governance and financial accountability.”
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