The second-tier football side Mangaung Unite FC has filed for arbitration, challenging the controversial outcome of the disciplinary case regarding the registration of FC Black Cross player Kamogelo Wolf. The aggrieved team is seeking for the decision to be overturned by Daniel Thulo, South African Football Association (Safa) Free State disciplinary committee chairperson.
On 7 March, he ruled in favour of Black Cross despite the club admitting Wolf had been registered without a Fifa International Transfer Certificate (ITC) from Lesotho’s football outfit Bantu FC. Thulo ordered that Mangaung and Safa Free State pay the costs of sittings.
It has emerged that Wolf was registered the previous season of 2021-’22 and played the remainder of the season despite his registration in question.
Sinki Leshabane, managing director of Mangaung, confirmed the request for arbitration against the controversial judgment.
“We strongly believe the chairperson in his ruling erred grievously against undisputed evidence we brought regarding the player’s registration by Black Cross under the watch of Safa in the province.
“We challenge whether this matter is in the best interest of football and promotes fair play. We are waiting for a date for the arbitration hearing,” said Leshabane.
Mangaung filed for arbitration a week ahead of the competition of the Free State’s ABC League this weekend.
In passing judgement, Thulo had stated he found no case was made out against Black Cross and the dispute by Mangaung stood to be dismissed.
He further stressed: “No report or documentation of any kind was provided by Safa Free State to confirm or disprove the allegations levelled against FC Black Cross, prior or during the sitting of the hearing. No explanation was provided also as to why the hearing was held in terms of Article 109.”
Thulo further pointed out that Safa Free State, as the party that bore the onus in terms of the article mentioned, led no evidence or provided any evidence during the hearing, in support of either of the parties.
Despite the ruling in Black Cross’ favour, the club has sidelined Wolf.
The case references to 2012, which saw Free State team Carara Kicks relegated after 18 points were docketed by the Premier Soccer League (PSL) disciplinary committee. The club was guilty of fielding an improperly registered player, Thembile Taliwe. He was found to have been registered without clearance from Emfuleni Real Barcelona.
Meanwhile, Mangaung beat Black Cross 2 – 0 in a return fixture played on Wednesday (15/03), gathering points ahead of the arbitration hearing, hoping for positive outcome. Black Cross leads with 40 points, and Mangaung is second with 35 points.
