What happens if City don’t honour Chiefs game?
Cape Town City are planning to dig in their heels following SAFA arbitrator Nazeer Cassim’s (SC) verdict in favour of Kaizer Chiefs.
Last week Friday, it was reported that Amakhosi’s fixtures against Cape Town City and Golden Arrows are set to be replayed, this after Chiefs failed to play the respective games in December last year due to a large number of players in the camp contracting COVID-19.
City are irate with the decision, with one insider questioning, “How does that work? A club decided on the rules, then they break their own rules and it’s fine. It does not make sense.”
It has since been reported that City do not intend on honouring the game even if they are ordered and will demand that the PSL apply the rules according to their handbook by docking the club points.
According to the NSL handbook,
Chiefs will be awarded a 3-0 win, should City not arrive for the fixture.
The NSL states, “15.2. Where a match is not played because of the late or non-arrival of a Member Club team, or of both teams, the offending Member Club or Member Clubs will be charged with misconduct. In this regard impossibility of performance as a result of a vehicle breakdown, logistical problem, or that the Member Club team was unable to locate the match venue, will not be a defence to this charge.
15.3. Where a Member Club is found guilty in terms of Rule 15.2 its opponent in that match will receive a “walk-over” (a 3-0 (threenil) win, unless the Disciplinary Committee considers that a different sanction may be more appropriate.
15.4. Where both Member Clubs are found guilty in terms of Rule 15.2 both Member Clubs will be allocated 0 (zero) points and 3 (three) goals will be awarded against them unless the Disciplinary Committee considers that a different sanction may be more appropriate.”
The League could appeal Cassim’s decision. However, indications are that it is unlikely, and it now remains to be seen if City do in fact opt to not honour the game, or if there will be a change in direction.