Sundowns not out of the woods just yet
THE ball is back in the court of the PSL, who have been handed names of arbitrators they feel should decide on the protest lodged by Bloemfontein Celtic.
Celtic lodged a protest with the PSL after Mamelodi Sundowns named defender Tebogo Langerman on their team sheet for the Nedbank Cup final last Saturday.
A few days before the final, the PSL named Langerman on their list of players who were currently suspended and therefore not eligible to play a part in the championship round of the Nedbank Cup.
After the PSL received the protest, they considered the matter compelling enough and referred it to the South African Football Association (Safa) for arbitration.
“Safa has received a request for arbitration in the Bloemfontein Celtic matter,” said Safa head of communications Dominic Chimhavi.
“Safa has decided on a list of arbitrators who could deal with the matter. The list has been sent on to the PSL.
“Once the PSL have made their choice, the arbitrator will decide on a date.”
The matter has already enjoyed wide coverage on social media, television and radio.
Bloemfontein Celtic chief executive Khumbulani Konco has confirmed that the protest was lodged during the match.
In a statement, Celtic said: “Our case against Mamelodi Sundowns has been referred to urgent arbitration.
“The club will announce the date once it is confirmed by the league.”
The rules governing football in the PSL and GladAfrica Championship (National First Division) are all listed in the National Soccer League (NSL) handbook. The NSL is the governing body of the PSL and the First Division. The NSL is also a Special Member of Safa.
The rule states that a suspended player can not play any part in the match. It also forbids the name of a suspended player to appear on the team sheet on matchday.