Saturday | March 19, 2022
Kaizer Chiefs Football Club (FC) were awarded by the South African Football Association (SAFA) arbitrator Advocate Nazeer Cassim SC to play two Dstv Premiership League fixtures against Cape Town City FC and Golden Arrows FC they did not honour in December 2021.
On Dec. 4, 2021, Cape Town City FC pitched at the magnificent FNB Stadium that held both the opening and closing ceremonies and matches of the Federation of International Football Association World Cup stage in South Africa in 2010.
Kaizer Chiefs, their hosts and opponents, were no show. This came after a long trip that City had made all the way from Cape Town to Johannesburg. A journey that could have been avoided in the first place because this fixture was not fulfilled on the day. There was no clear communication of what had transpired. Uncertainty mounted. As it emerged eventually, the matter would be resolved by legal eagles.
At the center of it, prior to these games, Chiefs filed an application to the Premier Soccer League (PSL) to postpone some matches scheduled at the same period. At the crux of the plea was the number of players and administrators who had contracted Covid-19. Chief’s request fell on deaf ears. It was turned down.
In the end, Chiefs could not honour the first two League matches where one was in their home turf against City and for the other they did not travel to Arrows at all. PSL decided to charge Kaizer Chiefs for failing to turn up.
For their part, Chiefs had advanced reasons for their request to have December 2021 matches deferred. These reasons were related to the COVID-19 cases recorded at their club. The impact thereof was that Coronavirus infections left their squad and support staff depleted and lean such that they could not field a full team to play planned matches. However, they managed to play subsequent PSL fixtures after the missed double without delays nor crippling Covid-19 incidents.
Arbitration award
On Fri. 18 Mar. 2021, Advocate Cassim under instruction by SAFA to arbitrate on the matter between Chiefs and the PSL, ruled in favour of the appellant. At face value, the Chiefs appeal success augurs well for the professionalism of the game that it should be won in the arena where football is played.
That said, what is the impact of this arbitration award? Does it mean the PSL administrative fisco cleared the path for Chiefs to challenge Dstv Premiership title on the pedestal?
Whether they now have a realistic lifeline to offer a credible opportunity to chase and challenge for the league honours is far-fetched depends on a number of variables. On paper, Chiefs have a 16-point deficit against log-leaders Mamelodi Sundowns FC and four matches on hand. Should they go on to these games and fetch all maximum (12) points, they would have reduced the gap to a mere 4-point, just a touch off Sundowns.
This of course assumes all things remain as they are. They will be breathing down Sundowns’ necks and presenting a real and tangible threat. This hypothetical picture is only probable if Chiefs win all their outstanding matches. Any outcome short of this eventuality will not diminish the title defenders to repeat their last season’s feat.
On the one hand, there is little doubt that Sundowns stretch their lead at the summit. And on the other hand, with more pressure and real condenders in Chiefs colours, they too know very well that the league may still be up for the taking.
Moreover, this can also make the league more interesting towards the end with all the trappings of a photo-finish. To the neutrals, this will savour their taste buds well.
Recalibrate systems
The Chiefs case sets a very interesting precedent for the domestic league gods. If anything, PSL should have handled this matter better to avoid the lengthy litigation it took to resolve in the first instance. Secondly, the lack of clear communication, if any, exacerbated the basic health issue raised and could have been referred to medical experts for sound and quick decision making.
In any event, the PSL does not come out of this embarrassing debacle clean. For all intents and purposes, all manner of sports set their primary objectives on resolved conflicts pitch side rather than the rigmarole boardrooms. This should be a chance for the administrators of the league to bring or refine systems and processes that will fast track the resolution of various cases. The end game should be to prevent and avoid similar or related incidents and anticipate new ones.