By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Chippa United and Richards Bay FC have been instructed by the Premier Soccer League (PSL) to honour the first match of the 2020-21 promotion-relegation playoffs in Port Elizabeth.
This is despite a court interdict ordering the playoffs to be halted‚ which is being appealed by the PSL.
There was confusion‚ though‚ as to when the appeal will be heard at the Gauteng High Court.
The playoffs had been scheduled to start on Tuesday with the game between Richards Bay and Royal AM. However a High Court interdict‚ granting an application by Royal‚ halted the kickoff.
Royal AM wanted the playoffs stopped as they are appealing a Johannesburg High Court verdict upholding an arbitration award of three points to Sekhukhune United. The verdict made Sekhukhune winners of the GladAfrica Championship‚ gaining automatic promotion to the Premier Division‚ which bumped Royal down to the playoffs.
Royal AM had finished the season at the top of the NFD standings, but the trouble began after the PSL’s Disciplinary Committee (DC) ruling earned the Sekhukhune three points for their clash against Polokwane City earlier this year.
Polokwane City had been found guilty of not fielding the required U23 player quota for the match and the three points saw Sekhukhune leapfrog Royal AM into top spot.
On Tuesday the PSL said it had resolved “to urgently seek leave to appeal against the order handed down by the Honourable Acting Judge Nyathi of the Gauteng High Court on June 14.”
PSL could not be reached for comment nor clarification on when the High Court appeal will be heard.
Meanwhile Royal AM general manager Sinky Mnisi said the PSL’s order for clubs to resume the playoffs is in direct opposition of a Gauteng High Court ruling that granted them an interdict postponing them.
“Trust me, if there is no court order that comes with a different outcome from Judge Nyathi’s ruling on Monday, I will be at home on Sunday relaxing, so will our players. Maybe the PSL can answer why they are starting the playoffs tomorrow when the judge said they must be stopped.”