What the Siya crew has been told…

Mamelodi Sundowns have claimed it was match commissioner Mark Lindon who gave them permission to field defender Wayne Arendse as they desperately try to fight the Premier Soccer League’s guilty verdict on using an ineligible player. The Siya crew is in possession of heads of arguments citing that the title holders did not break any rules on October 7 when Arendse, who was initially not in the team sheet submitted to Lindon an hour before their home match against Bidvest Wits, was called from the stand to replace an injured Thapelo Morena. Sundowns have since been charged – and found guilty – for violating Rule 16.3.2 of the NSL handbook, which states that “no player may be added to the team sheet who was not listed on the team sheet that was submitted”.

Team sheets are to be handed over to the match commissioner an hour before the game, then checked by the two captains before being signed off as official for distribution to the media and broadcasters prior to kick-off. Sundowns do not dispute this fact, though they have argued that – in their defence – the late change to withdraw Morena with Arendse was approved by Lindon and the opposing team “signified their willingness to accept” when everyone signed off on it. As a result, Downs pointed out, no offence was committed. But this argument was thrown out by the PSL disciplinary committee on April 1 during a hearing held at the league’s offices, documents which are in the Siya crew’s possession. Sundowns are currently awaiting sentencing, which could either be points deducted, a fine or both and would significantly hurt their Absa Premiership title chances.

But in their written submissions, the club refers to article 21.2.1 in the rulebook to suggest the charge, and subsequent to that the guilty verdict, was wrong. According to that section of the handbook, the match commissioner has the “authority to act on behalf of the League in relation to the Member’s Club’s compliance with the NSL handbook” – and in sanctioning the change, Downs have reasoned, the match commissioner “permissibly condoned non- compliance”. The panel, however, dismissed this argument by insisting that Lindon’s role was only to ensure compliance, meaning his duty was to enforce Rule 16.3.2 and see to it that Arendse was never allowed on the pitch.