Proposed Black Aces sale could put players’ futures on the line

MANY players will be facing uncertain futures should the proposed sale of Mpumalanga Black Aces’ Premier Soccer League franchise to relegated AmaZulu go through.

But what is clear is that the PSL has strict guidelines, and a record of diligent enforcement, to ensure that players are protected and that they receive what is due to them in terms of their contract.

And should those obligations not be met, players will have the right to seek damages and will likely be successful.

The sale of the franchise will have to be ratified by the PSL and the league will scrutinise the positions of the players and the impact it has on them before giving the go-ahead.

The Daily Dispatch understands that many of the Black Aces players will move to AmaZulu as part of the sale, but for some, who were gearing up for a season in the PSL, it will be the hustle and bustle of National First Division football.

The bigger question for those, and coach Muhsin Ertugral, is will moving down a division to the National First Division be career-limiting. And what sort of recourse do they have?

Ertugral appears to be keeping his counsel until after a decision is announced, rumoured to be tomorrow, saying only yesterday that it was business as usual.

It will be the uncertainty that is most worrying. But the fact is that Black Aces and AmaZulu, whichever club a player is at next season, must honour each ind contract as it was signed and lodged with the PSL.

If a player is not picked up by AmaZulu and does not want to go down to the National First Division, the Dispatch understands that he would have cause to rescind his contract and seek a new team.

Black Aces would then have to give him his clearance and he could leave as a free agent.

However, if the player chooses to go this route, he would then give up his right to any compensation as it was his decision to put aside the contract.

If the club decide to rescind the contract of a player because he is deemed surplus to requirements, they would have to negotiate a settlement.

Players have been given more power in this situation because those who are told to campaign in the NFD are, by and large, not getting what they signed on for.

If a team is relegated, that is part of football, but in this instance Black Aces are choosing to drop a division and taking financial reward to do so, which raises a question of ethics that can be debated long and hard and is outside the law.

There are other matters to consider as well. For those who join AmaZulu and make the move down to Durban, they are being forced to live in a new city, perhaps away from their support group.

While many might relish the opportunity to swap Johannesburg for Durban, others may find the transition difficult or unappealing.

Black Aces were not available for comment at the time of going to print.