By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Premier Soccer League (PSL) has rejected Black Leopards’ allegations over the withdrawal of its players’ registration cards, saying the club was subject to FIFA sanctions.
Leopards suffered relegation to ABC Motsepe League at the end of the 2025/26 Motsepe Foundation Championship campaign—their second drop in three years after previously purchasing the status of Cape Town All Stars.
The Limpopo based side owner David Thidiela revealed he has formally written to PSL chairperson Dr Irvin Khoza and acting CEO Mato Madlala, urging both officials to vacate their administrative positions in favour of independent leadership.
Madlala is the chairlady of Golden Arrows, while Khoza is the chairman of Orlando Pirates. Both clubs compete in the PSL, Thidiela argues it is conflict of interest.
Thidiela maintains that their campaign was severely compromised by the PSL’s decision to withhold registration cards for new signings during the opening four fixtures of the season.
After failing to secure relief through the PSL Dispute Resolution Chamber, SAFA Arbitration, and the Johannesburg High Court—where an urgent application was struck off the roll—the club has taken its grievances to Court of Arbitration for Sport [CAS] in Lausanne, Switzerland.
However, PSL legal counsel Michael Murphy says the club had failed to properly notify FIFA of its ownership and name changes.
Murphy emphasized that Thidiela served on the executive committee for a long time and is fully aware that league operations function independently and with integrity
Thidiela argues National Soccer League [NSL] handbook does not contain an explicit rule banning alcohol brands from sponsoring member clubs or the league. Instead, Section 17.8 states that team sponsors must not conflict with league partners or bring the game into disrepute.