Ajax to fight ruling in high court

IN A BID to avoid possible relegation from the Premier Soccer League (PSL), Ajax Cape Town will head to the South Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg today to try to halt the promotion play-offs from taking place.

Ajax were scheduled to participate in the mini-league with two First Division clubs to determine who will play in the PSL next season.

But, after coming out on the wrong side of the Tendai Ndoro saga in the second arbitration hearing on the matter, Ajax are fighting on.

After the saga surrounding the eligibility of Ajax’s Zimbabwean striker had dragged on for months, there was finally a verdict yesterday, two days after the end of the season.

The case had previously been through the dispute resolution chamber, an arbitration hearing and two court cases with no resolution.

Arbitrator William Mokhari SC heard the second arbitration hearing on Monday and, in his decision, found Ajax guilty yesterday.

As a result, the Cape club forfeited matches against Platinum Stars, Polokwane City and SuperSport United.

The decision of Mokhari was that Ajax lose all three matches 3-0 and be fined R50 000 on each offence.

As a result of the nine points dropped, the Urban Warriors finished last on the revised PSL log and are to be relegated to the First Division.

Ndoro was sentenced to a two-match suspension, while Ajax were ordered to pay the costs of the other parties involved in the arbitration.

Arbitration hearings and court cases have become a rather familiar scenario in the PSL and, despite the close of 2017/18 season at the weekend, it’s no different this time.

“The club is in the process of preparing papers to be filed urgently before the South Gauteng High Court in Joburg for the matter to be heard tomorrow morning (Wednesday) at 10am,” said Ajax.

“Among other issues, the club will seek to interdict the promotion play-offs from commencing on Wednesday, May 16 at 3pm.

“This will be sought pending an urgent review of the arbitrator’s award.”

Whatever happens in court today, it may still not be the last of this issue.

Ajax still have the option of taking the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland.