What the Siya crew has been told…

Innocent Mayoyo is prepared to go all the way and fight for what he believes is due to him for the development of Thabang Sibanyoni, who left his academy as a 19-year-old to join Mamelodi Sundowns.

The outspoken Mayoyo has been running his academy for more than 12 years, having gained the experience and knowledge to navigate around the development structures, and believes that he has a strong case and is being undermined by the defending DStv Premiership champions.

According to sources close to Mayoyo, there has been a series of unsuccessful meetings with Downs through their representatives, in trying to resolve the matter amicably, with the former keeper being confident that the Tshwane giants have acted inappropriately by not paying him for the player, who was until this transfer window on the books of Sekhukhune United on loan from Downs.

The Siya crew did contact Sundowns for a right of reply when the story broke in November. However, at the time, the Chloorkop-based side indicated that they were not in a position to comment as the case is sub judice.

The crew has since investigated further, establishing why Sundowns have not come to an agreement with Mayoyo.

According to well-placed sources, in following FIFA’s recommendations, the Brazilians have played by the rulebook. The one main objective that Sundowns have questioned in Sibanyoni’s case is that Mayoyo requested for the compensation claim after the player turned 23.

According to the club’s understanding, as per FIFA’s direction, compensation claims must be done when the player in question is 23 years old or younger. Sibanyoni is now 26 and the claim was only put in last year, according to the sources.

On further investigation, it has been explained that SAFA need to give direction in line with FIFA’s suggested structure, something that has been outstanding for around eight years from the FA in South Africa.

Going forward, plans are in place to get SAFA up to speed…