Did the match commissioner bring PSL into disrepute? The story behind the scenes

Given that Sundowns’ defence hinges on being given permission by the match commissioner to use Arendse, does that beg the question: should Lindon somehow be held liable by the PSL and SAFA? Referees and match commissioners are dispatched by the country’s football governing body, but the league covers all their travelling costs as well as their monthly stipend.

Asked for comment, Tenda Masikhwa, SAFA’s head of referees, said he was not at liberty to discuss the matter until such time there was an appeal following a sanction. “I am uncomfortable talking about this case for now because we don’t have the sentencing as yet. Only when there is a sanction will there be a possible appeal, which would then come to SAFA. At that point, I cannot make any comments,” he told the Siya crew.

The PSL also refused to be drawn into making remarks on Downs’ heads of arguments. “As you know, this matter is with the Disciplinary Committee. This is now awaiting sanction. I am sure all parties will get an opportunity to make representation to the DC. There is nothing further for the League to say,” said the League’s Head Of Communications, Luxolo September.

The Ndoro saga…

For a second successive season, the league is embroiled in what appears to be a matter that can be simply resolved if dealt with only by throwing the rulebook at those who are guilty. But like the Tendai Ndoro case involving Ajax Cape Town around this time last year, it is being made complicated by heads of arguments and the different decision-making bodies caught in the middle. Ndoro joined Ajax in the second half of the 2017/18 campaign, making the club his third for that particular term, and Fifa prohibits such a move. Ajax claimed then that they had also been given permission to use the player by the PSL’s Dispute Resolution Chamber (DRC), but the league fought to have that decision overturned and the Urban Warriors were subsequently docked nine points by SAFA arbitrator William Mokhari from the three matches Ndoro was fielded. They were then relegated as a result. Siya sources informed the crew that the disciplinary committee were contemplating using the Ajax case as a reference point, and Downs have argued there are no similarities.

It’s been done before…

The PSL has punished a club by deducting points and slapped them with a R50 000 fine in the past. In April of 2016, the now defunct Platinum Stars were docked a single point for fielding left back Siyabonga Zulu in one of their games, ironically in their goalless draw against Sundowns eight months before. The player was improperly registered. Dikwena had submitted his paperwork at the start of the season with a clearance from Chippa United, but the player was still on loan from Orlando Pirates. The PSL did later establish the facts and that Stars were well aware that Zulu still belonged to another team, but unfortunately for the league he had already made an appearance for his “new” club because of failure to refer to the digital systems with all the records regarding the player. Dikwena released a strongly-worded statement when the sentence was handed down, insisting the league had given them the green light to field an ineligible player. Siya sources have suggested Downs will argue that this case should also not be used as a reference point in determining their sanction over the Arendse matter. The difference, perhaps, is that Sundowns didn’t knowingly break the rules.

The permutations

Siya sources have suggested to the crew that if the Ndoro case is anything to go by, then this Downs saga could drag on. So, expect appeals, which would then be regulated by SAFA – and there is no ruling out that the matter could go all the way to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). But in the meantime, the PSL can deliver a sanction that would hold until it is reversed through an appeal. In taking a look at the possible permutations, the Siya crew established these three possible scenarios: - Sundowns could be docked

points. - Sundowns could be fined. - Sundowns could be docked

points and fined.

An escape doesn’t seem likely. Article 24.3 of the league’s handbook allows the order from the DC or the DRC to stand pending the final outcome of any appeal or arbitration. So, the sanction, expected sooner rather than later, will be enforced immediately.