By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Premier Soccer League have communicated that the scheduled promotion/relegation play-off fixtures have been postponed indefinitely.
The protracted saga involving the PSL, Sekhukhune United and Royal AM continues to wreak havoc on the end to the 2020/21 season as clubs await a final outcome on their respective disputes.
Chippa United, who ended 15th in the DStv Premiership, and Richards Bay FC, who ended third in the GladAfrica Championship, were scheduled to meet in the play-offs at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium this afternoon.
However, due to ongoing appeals within the courts, the League have communicated that the fixtures will not go ahead until they gain clarity on the way forward.
A legal dispute has arisen between Royal AM and the League as to whether the order granted by Nyathi AJ has been suspended as a result of the filing by the League of an application for leave to appeal Nyathi AJ’s order.
The League contends that the order has been suspended, while Royal AM contends that it has not.
In the circumstances, the League has elected to:
- Postpone the start of the play-offs;
- Seek the urgent intervention of the High Court.
Unfortunately that means that Richards Bay Football Club and Chippa United Football Club will not be able to play their scheduled match today. The risks to the completion of the season are obvious but in view of the dispute the League has elected to act with an abundance of caution even in extremely trying circumstances for all Member Clubs, their players, and those affected in this matter.
In a letter sent to the PSL lawyers Royal AM are demanding that the league must‚ by no later than 10am on June 17 2021 give, among other things‚ an indication that it will “make a public statement indicating that it will comply with the law that no playoffs will be played in breach of Nyathi AJ court order”.
The Durban club added that if the PSL fails to respond positively to their letter‚ “Royal AM will be left with no option but to approach a court of law to obtain the appropriate redress and/or relief‚ without further notification to the recipients (PSL) of this letter. Such relief will include a punitive order of costs against all culpable individuals personally.”