Ajax fight back with appeal

Ajax Cape Town have said that they intend to interdict the start of the Absa Premiership season, despite the Premier Soccer League’s insistence that it will start on time on August 4.

Ajax are currently in a sort of limbo, having successfully set aside the decision of Advocate William Mokhari to relegate them from the Absa Premiership.

The Premier Soccer League had a board of governors meeting last week, after which they said that they are seeking leave to appeal the decision of Judge Denise Fisher, who overturned the decision.

Ajax signed striker Tendai Ndoro in January, but Mokhari deducted them points for games the Zimbawean played in against Polokwane City, Platinum Stars and SuperSport United, on the basis that Ndoro had already played for two other clubs in the 2017/18 season. Fifa says a player can only take the field for two clubs in the same season.

Fisher, however, ruled that only Fifa’s player status committee could decide on Ndoro’s eligibility.

The PSL have also said they will go to Fifa if necessary, but Ajax CEO Ari Efstathiou (below) gave a press conference yesterday in which he said: “We are forced to take the following procedures: (1) Oppose application of leave to appeal. (2) Ajax will launch an application to ask that Judge Fisher’s decision would be immediately effective if appeal is heard. (3) Ajax will interdict the start of the league.

“Ajax Cape Town is trying everything in its power to find a swift solution.”

If Fisher’s decision stands, Ajax could well be restored to 15th, which would technically qualify them for the promotion/ relegation play-offs. That could throw the season in to total chaos, as the play-offs have already been played, with Black Leopards gaining promotion. Ajax’s earlier attempt to interdict the play-offs was unsuccessful.