Thanda case to be heard

WHILE Mpumalanga Black Aces celebrate their return to the Absa Premiership after three seasons in the National First Division, Thanda Royal Zulu will finally have their arbitration case reviewed next week.

The PSL has dismissed three disciplinary cases involving the team.

South African Football Association communications director Dominic Chimhavi said: “I think the matter will be heard on Thursday or Friday. The big challenge for us has been that we could not get the arbitrators to handle the case.

“We are still trying to establish who will be available, but the matter is set for next week. In addition, there are Safa Second Division League matters that will also be heard on Thursday or Friday so that all the provinces make pronouncements on the teams that will go to the national playoffs.”

Thanda are unhappy that the PSL disciplinary committee found them guilty of failing to honour three opening NFD matches at the beginning of the season when some clubs in the second tier sought to run their own affairs separately from the PSL.

The three games in question were against FC AK, Santos and FC Cape Town. The KwaZulu-Natal side approached the Gauteng South High Court in Johannesburg, which referred the marathon dispute for arbitration.

The PSL are still to confirm the promotion of Aces and league winners Polokwane City.

On the disputes in the Safa Second Division League, competitions director Balebetse Monnakgotla said: “We have appeal set for July 4 and 5; there are four matters on the roll.”

The Second Division League national playoffs, delayed by the appeals and arbitration cases in five provinces, will now be played in Ekurhuleni from July 22 to 28 at three venues – Mehlareng, Makhulong (Tembisa) and Sinaba (Daveyton).

Four provinces have determined their winners: FC Vardos (Gauteng), Mthatha Bucks (Eastern Cape), Mbombela United (Mpumalanga) and Amajuba (KwaZulu-Natal).