Black Leopards appoint new lawyer
Leopards appoint new lawyer
Posted: 2011-04-07 14:19
The sentencing of Black Leopards for fielding an improperly registered player has been postponed to April 15 after the First Division outfit appointed a new lawyer.
Fellow Inland Stream side Batau protested that Edgar Diala Manaka was irregularly registered by Leopards with the PSL and the hearing into the matter was on March 14 and 15.
The PSL disciplinary committee found Leopards guilty on March 31 and the sentencing was initially pencilled for April 6, but Leopards requested a postponement after appointing a new lawyer, Michael Murphy, apparently to handle the mitigation of sentence process.
According to Batau owner Senyane Mphethi, it is possible that Leopards are hoping that a fine is imposed instead of a points deduction.
If points are deducted, Lidoda Duvha could be relegated and Batau, currently bottom of the standings in the Inland Stream, could avoid the dreaded relegation axe depending on the number of points Leopards are docked. Leopards are second on the log with 32 points, while Batau have 11 points, which is a 21-point difference between the two clubs.
Manaka was, according to Mphethi, registered on November 4 last year. However, it is not known at this stage how many matches he has played for Leopards and therefore, the number of points that could be docked cannot be ascertained.
Mphethi says: “The reason for the postponement, the way I understand it, is Leopards want a strong attorney, Michael Murphy. They have been found guilty and my understanding is that the attorney they have now appointed may be able to mediate better than the attorney who represented them during the case (Mike Mokwetli). That is the only reason,” he says.
“We want all the points of the games Manaka participated in to be expunged… we will not let it go easy. Black Leopards is going or otherwise I will go to the highest court,” Mphethi adds.
While Batau have pinned their hopes on a points deduction, the last time the PSL handled a case of this nature only a fine was imposed. FC Cape Town were fined R500 000 for fielding an improperly registered player – Ivory Coast goalkeeper Noel Yobou.
Of the fine, R100 000 was suspended for two seasons on condition that the club is not found guilty of a similar offence during the period of suspension.
Mphethi, however, says the cases are different because Batau lodged a formal protest and had to make submissions instead of a simple complaint, as was the case with Ikapa.
KickOff.com has obtained a sound clip of Leopards boss David Thidiela speaking to Limpopo commercial radio station Capricorn FM, and Thidiela assures the Leopards fans there is nothing to worry about.
Thidiela says: “Don’t worry about anything, there is nothing! The boy is properly registered,” he says.
However, PSL prosecutor Zola Majavu says the sentence will be meted out next week Friday, April 15.
“It was at the request of the Leopards’ attorney…they are now represented by Murphy and on the day of the sentencing (April 6) he was busy with another matter so they asked for a postponement,” Majavu confirms.
Meanwhile, David Thidiela has been accused of an attempt to influence this case when he allegedly approached PSL disciplinary committee member Mike Matloane on March 15 and KickOff.com understands the matter will be handled separately once sentence has been passed on the allegations of fielding an improperly registered player.
: 2011-04-08 06:18
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