The Safa Disciplinary Committee in the Free State is this week set to hear a dispute over a player’s registration, involving FC Black Cross and Mangaung Unite FC, which are both campaigning in the ABC Motsepe League.
The controversial contention between the two clubs was postponed after it was initially held on Friday (24/02).
Mosa Dladla, Safa’s provincial executive officer, confirmed the postponement of the hearing for deliberation tomorrow, Thursday (02/03). She said the matter involved only the two rival clubs in stream B of the league competition.
Stream B has nine clubs, as does stream A. The competition is in its second round, leading to the final.
Mangaung filed a dispute with the federation’s provincial disciplinary committee, claiming that Black Cross fielded an improperly registered player in a number of league fixtures.
While details surrounding the player’s registration are under judicial consideration and prohibited from public discussion, Black Cross has in the meantime decided against using the player in league matches.
The team also sidelined this experienced player for the Nedbank Cup last-32 group elimination match against Venda Academy.
The player had a brief unsuccessful stint with a team campaigning in Lesotho’s premier division. In South Africa he also had a stint with the now defunct Premier Soccer League (PSL) teams Ajax Cape Town FC and Bloemfontein Celtic FC, among other top-flight clubs.
An unfavourable ruling will adversely affect Black Cross, as the club will be docked points for all matches the player took part in.
Such a decision will see a twist in the championship race. It will benefit Mangaung, and see the club move up to claim a win in stream B and even go through to compete for the provincial championship.
Black Cross is leading with 31 points, while Mangaung is second with 29 points.
The latter outfit salvaged maximum points, beating Sibanye Golden Stars FC 4 – 0 in a league match played on Saturday (25/02) at Dr RP Molemela Stadium in Bloemfontein.
