Newly promoted Betway Premiership side Durban City’s joy could be short-lived depending on the outcome of their case for allegedly fielding an ineligible player.
The KwaZulu Natal club confirmed their automatic promotion on the final day of the Motsepe Foundation Championship (MFC) 2024/25 season on Sunday, 18 May.
But their promotion has been overshadowed by accusations of allegedly flouting the league rules.
JDR Stars has lodged a protest, arguing that Durban City midfielder Saziso Magawana was not properly registered after his move from then-MFC club Marumo Gallants to Durban City last year.
According to JDR, Magawana should have received his clearance from Leruma United, who bought Gallants’ MFC status.
However, Durban City received the clearance from Gallants and claims Magawana’s move was aboveboard because he moved to their club about a month before Gallants’ MFC or National First Division (NFD) status was sold to Leruma, and ratified by the league.
Magawana went on to play 28 league matches out of 30 for Durban City this season, and if found guilty, the KwaZulu-Natal club could be docked points, leading to their relegation to the ABC Motsepe League.
The PSL Disciplinary Committee will hear the case today, and Durban City boss Farook Kadodia is not losing sleep over the matter.
“There is no issue with our registrations…there is no fraud in this matter, and I am still surprised that people are trying to find how they can interfere and take the championship trophy away from us,” said Kadodia.
Back in 2022, the PSL DC presided over a similar case.
Top-flight club Golden Arrows escaped with a monetary fine after they were found guilty in a case involving midfielder Simo Mbhele, who joined the club from Portuguese side 1º Dezembro.
Mbhele played six league games, as well as two in the MTN8, before he was caught offside for not having received his clearance from 1º Dezembro.
“The DC found that dishonourable or dishonest conduct was not proved by the league,” said PSL prosecutor, Zola Majavu, at the time.
“That being the case, it felt that the sanction pertaining to the docking of points would thus be inappropriate in the circumstances, hence the decision it took regarding the reprimand and an adverse cost order.”
Mpumalanga side Mbombela United weren’t so lucky in 2020.
Mbombela finished 14th in the MFC 2019/20 season, which meant they were safe from relegation, but they were then docked 23 points for fielding an ineligible player, Eswatini international Sabelo Ndzinisa, and subsequently relegated to the ABC Motsepe League.
