With the PSL on recess, Kaizer Chiefs could be forced to wait even longer to feature new signings Asanele Velebayi and Luke Baartman in their line-up.
Chiefs signed Velebayi and Baartman while they still had contractual disputes with Cape Town Spurs, who did not agree with the rule that their relegation to the ABC Motsepe League dumps them to ‘amateur’ status and therefore their players can leave for free, as they are no longer part of the NSL (which comprises of the Betway Premiership and Motsepe Foundation Championship clubs).
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The two young attackers subsequently received their clearances from the PSL's Dispute Resolution Chamber.
However, the Urban Warriors have appealed that decision to SAFA for Arbitration.
KickOff.com has been led to believe that Chiefs would be within their rights to play Velebayi and Baartman, as the duo has been cleared by the DRC. However, the Soweto giants are being cautious with the legal proceedings going a notch further.
The club may need to bide their time even more, as this website has discovered that the date for both cases to be heard by SAFA is yet to be determined and released.
Both camps have confirmed to this website that much to their frustration, SAFA are yet to set a date to hear the cases.
It is approaching a month since Spurs lodged an appeal against Velebayi becoming a free agent, while a week later they filed the same appeal concerning Baartman.
The 22-year-old winger and 19-year-old striker would have hoped to see action after the international break, if SAFA rules in their favour, but the matter at the mother body’s legal department has not been treated with the urgency that was expected.
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It is also understood that the Ikamva-based outfit are most likely to make further appeals should they lose their case again at SAFA.
This means Amakhosi would need to be proactive in making sure the players participate in official matches should they be cleared as the issue could start to affect the welfare of players.
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