Batau FC drop appeal against Black Leopards
Batau give up Leopards pursuit
Posted: 2011-05-23 18:16
Batau FC have confirmed to KickOff.com that they won't appeal the decision that went in favour of Black Leopards, after the latter club was accused of fielding a defaulter.
Batau's decision basically means Leopards' participation in this year's Promotional Play-Offs has been confirmed and they will face Vasco Da Gama on June 8 and 11.
This is how it unfolded… Leopards were found guilty by the PSL's Disciplinary Committee of fielding a defaulter, Edgar Manaka – who was allegedly not properly registered – in their match against Batau FC at the AJ Swanepoel Stadium on March 6, 2011. They were docked three points for the alleged contravention of the National Soccer League rules.
However, Safa's appeals board reversed the PSL DC's decision, thus founding in Leopards' favour and they got their three points back.
Batau had 72 hours from last week Tuesday to lodge an appeal and since last week Wednesday was a holiday and weekends are not counted they had until Monday, today, to lodge an appeal and they have decided against pursuing the matter.
“I have decided not to pursue the matter. Even if I go there (to arbitration) and they expunge the points from Leopards, Batau will still be relegated,” says Batau owner, Senyane Mphethi.
However, Mphethi has expressed concern over the League's go slow on allegations that have been leveled at Leopards boss David Thidiela.
The PSL caught wind of Thidiela's alleged attempt to influence the outcome of the Manaka issue, which was apparently foiled.
The PSL claimed at the beginning of April that, “It was brought to the attention of the Disciplinary Committee that one of its members, Mr. Mike Matloane, was approached by the chairman of the respondent, Mr. David Thidiela, on 15 March 2011, after the parties' submissions with a view of influencing the outcome or decision of this DC in favour of the said respondent (Leopards).”
Since then, the League appears to have swept the matter under the carpet and that, according to Mphethi, is his main concern.
“The League has gone quite on the issue of ntate Thidiela. Azziz (Kara) and Peter Rabali were banned from football for 10 years. What is the League doing with ntate Thidiela's matter? I wanted to go to arbitration to solve this specific issue but I couldn't as I have no proof, but the League said it so it means they have proof,” Mphethi concludes.
The League's prosecutor Zola Majavu couldn't immediately be reached for comment on Mphethi's enquiry regarding Thidiela.
: 2011-05-23 19:04
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