PSL in the dark over Arendse fiasco
● With two games to go, the PSL is as much in the dark as every football fan when it comes to guessing when the long-dragging Wayne Arendse saga will be finalised.
Even the PSL spokesperson Lux September is none the wiser. “I don’t know,” was his response when the Sunday Times asked when the matter will be brought to finality.
Early this week the PSL said the matter, in which Mamelodi Sundowns has already been found guilty of contravening Rule 16.3.2 of the National Soccer League handbook, has been finalised and all that remains is for the DC to issue the sanction.
The matter emanates from the Sundowns versus Bidvest Wits Absa Premiership match which was played on October 7 and ended in a 1-1 stalemate. Sundowns were charged by the PSL for fielding defender Arendse, who was not in the team sheet they had submitted to the match officials on that day.
Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane has been vocal in recent weeks, complaining to everyone who cares to listen about the delay in the sanctioning and not knowing how many points his team will actually lose.
September said: “The PSL is as in the dark as everyone about when the DC will issue the sanction on the Wayne Arendse matter.
“The PSL doesn’t interfere with the operations of the DC, even in the Bloemfontein Celtic matter (which was settled on Friday) we didn’t know when we were going to get the verdict.”
Sundowns and Orlando Pirates are involved in the neck-and-neck title chase, with Bucs three points (53) ahead of the Brazilians with two games to be played.
PSL prosecutor Nande Bekker has been under pressure to get the PSL disciplinary committee (DC) to give its verdict. He recently punched back, saying it’s been difficult for him to pin down Sundowns for the hearing because of their involvement in the Caf Champions League.
September explained that the DC has one chairperson but different panels, meaning the one that decided on the Celtic v Cape Town City case on Friday is not the same as the one handling the Sundowns matter.
On Friday the PSL’s DC punished Celtic for their fans’ misbehaviour which resulted in the match, played on April 14, being called off. City were awarded a 3-0 victory and Celtic were ordered to play their last two league matches away from Free State.