Latest news with #Comitis
The Citizen
6 hours ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
City chairman Comitis singles out big-name players after relegation
'It was like mixing oil with water. Nothing worked. They didn't stand up to be counted,' Comitis told 94.7FM. Cape Town City owner John Comitis has hit out at the performance of Cape Town City's headline signings this season. Picture: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix Cape Town City chairman John Comitis has slammed the big-name players that the club signed this season following their relegation to the Motsepe Foundation Championship. ALSO READ: Sundowns can hold their heads high despite World Club Cup exit City lost 1-0 to Orbit FC at Olympia Park in Rustenburg on Wednesday to seal their fate, while Orbit have been promoted to the Betway Premiership. City's experienced players The Mother City outfit brought in a wealth of experience in players like Fortune Makaringe, Kamohelo Mokotjo and Thulani Serero. But it didn't work as City finished 15th in the Premiership table and ultimately failed to retain their top flight status. 'We added nine players, all big hitters with big salaries,' Comitis told Robert Marawa on 94.7FM. 'They came from big overseas clubs. They had been playing on the bench at most of those clubs, but they were big brands and we thought it was what the club needs. 'We had maturity mixed with youth and we thought it was a good mix. But it was like mixing oil with water. Nothing worked. They didn't stand up to be counted.' City sacked head coach Eric Tinkler at the end of 2024, and Muhsin Ertugral came in as interim head coach. Despite wins over Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates, however, Ertugral was unable to halt the slide. Neither was Diogo Peral, who replaced Ertugral in March. 'If Eric had stayed could we have done something more? Who knows? If we had stuck with Muhsin would we have got something out of it? Who knows? Was Diogo the right choice? Who knows?' Added Comitis. 'A lot of disappointment' ALSO READ: Motaung not definitive on whether Chiefs' Nabi will stay 'The bottom line is none of us are players. There are 11 on the pitch and five substitutes (that can come on). And these weren't small-time players. They were big players with big names and there was a lot of disappointment.'
The South African
10 hours ago
- Business
- The South African
Cape Town City plot return to Betway Prem to save sponsorships
Cape Town City chairman John Comitis has revealed bold plans to return his club to the Betway Premiership, with the purchase of a top-flight status now a serious option. In a candid interview on MSW , Comitis admitted that City's relegation to the Motsepe Foundation Championship could trigger the loss of vital sponsors, including banking powerhouse FNB. He stressed that the club must return to the PSL immediately to avoid a damaging fallout. 'Well, you know, that's always an option because the PSL has allowed an entry and a window of opportunity for clubs to do that,' Comitis explained. Comitis didn't hold back when highlighting the financial strain relegation brings, particularly in the area of commercial partnerships. 'I don't think we would be able to carry any sponsorship in the NFD, and quite rightly so, there's no exposure there. It's a long, hard road,' he stated. He made it clear that the loss of television exposure and funding at second-tier level leaves little incentive for top-tier sponsors to remain involved. Comitis emphasised the need to provide a high-performance environment for the club's players, including 15 youth internationals currently in the academy. 'They don't want to be playing for an NFD club in their future; they want to be at a PSL club, and quite rightly so. We've created a lot of value in these players for themselves and the club,' he said. He argued that keeping the club in the lower division does a disservice to both the players and South African football, considering the development pipeline City has cultivated over the years. Comitis insisted that purchasing a PSL spot may be the only realistic way back into the league in time to save the club's business model and maintain relevance. 'There's a certain amount of funding and exposure you have at the PSL level, which you need to create value for your players and your club. All these things don't exist in the NFD,' he stressed. Despite the uncertainty, Cape Town City have already taken action to prepare for the 2025/2026 season. 'We're working around the clock to see what the possibilities are. We've already got our new coach who's arrived in the country for next season, either way,' Comitis confirmed. His proactive approach underlines how seriously the club views the need for a swift return to top-tier football, especially with their youth system, sponsorships, and long-term vision all at stake. Who will Cape Town City buy to get back to the top flight? Let us know by leaving a comment below or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
28-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Could the Premiership relegation battle be decided in court?
'We have no problem if we end up in the playoffs; the team is ready. But it must be fair,' said Cape Town City chairman John Comitis. John Comitis is considering legal action of Cape Town City end up in the relegation play-offs. Picture: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix Cape Town City owner John Comitis has suggested he may resort to legal action if his side end up in the relegation/promotion play-offs. ALSO READ: Arendse wants error-free SuperSport in crunch final half Comitis is clearly furious that SuperSport United are playing 45 minutes against Golden Arrows on Thursday, a fixture that is set to decide who finishes in 15th place in the Betway Premiership. Relegation play-off fight With Royal AM booted out of the league, the only battle involving relegation this season is for 15th place. Whoever finishes there will end up in the play-offs against Orbit College and Casric Stars. Orbit and Stars finished in second and third respectively in the Motsepe Foundation Championship. As it stands, SuperSport are in 15th place, a point behind Cape Town City. But if Andre Arendse's side can earn at least a draw against Arrows – the game is being started again with the scores at 1-1 – then they will survive and City will be in the play-offs. Controversy surrounds the resumption of the SuperSport-Arrows game, however. This match was originally played on February 23, over three months ago. With the two teams tied at 1-1 at half time, there was a power failure at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville. At some point it seemed like the result may be awarded to Arrows, as SuperSport had not supplied a backup generator. Only last week was it finally decided that the SuperSport-Arrows game would resume. 'We are looking at the matter. We are reviewing our options, and we believe that we truly have a case here to take it back to the PSL,' Comitis told Phalaphala FM on Tuesday. 'As a club, we have communicated with the PSL, so at this stage, I would like to leave it as is. The decision that has been made has created a situation where they probably had to break five rules in order to achieve what they have achieved.' 'How fair is that?' 'The first one was that the game didn't take place within 48 hours. The next one is that it wasn't a force majeure. The third one is that they can't continue at half-time and replicate the game now after three months, because there are different players at clubs, there are yellow cards and a whole lot of different reasons why it can't happen. ALSO READ: Chiefs' Motaung in hot water – report 'The worst part is the league is finished. They are now sitting in a position where they can decide what they need to see what they need. How fair is that? Where is the fair play? So we are really aggrieved. We have no problem if we end up in the playoffs; the team is ready. But it must be fair, and it must be on the pitch. Not in the boardroom.'
The Citizen
20-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
All the pressure is on SuperSport as Pirates come to town
SuperSport are currently ahead of 15th-placed Cape Town City only on goal difference. Andre Arendse will hope to coax SuperSport away from relegation in their last Picture: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix SuperSport United and Orlando Pirates will meet in the Betway Premiership on Tuesday evening, with the home's sides campaign up in the air, and the visitors' pretty much in a phase of 'post season friendlies.' ALSO READ: Midfielder headed for Pirates exit For Pirates, the possibilities for their Premiership season are one-fold. They can finish second, second or second in the table. Pirates on the beach? With three games left, and head coach Jose Riveiro having already bid them farewell, Pirates' players could be forgiven for having their minds on which beach they intend to holiday on in the off-season. SuperSport, on the other hand, while they also have three games outstanding, have their very existence under threat, if reports of a sale to a re-born Bloemfontein Celtic are to be believed. On top of this, the Tshwane side are in a battle to avoid finishing in the promotion-relegation play-off spot at the end of the season. SuperSport are currently ahead of 15th-placed Cape Town City only on goal difference, though Matsatsantsa's superiority in this department means one more win from their last three games should do the trick. City have just one game left to play, a Western Cape derby at home to Stellebosch on Saturday., Andre Arendse's SuperSport will play Pirates today, Richards Bay at home on Saturday and perhaps Golden Arrows at a date yet to be determined. SuperSport's game against Arrows on February 23 at the Lucas Moripe Stadium was abandoned after a power failure at the Lucas Moripe Stadium. The Premier Soccer League, it seems, have held SuperSport responsible as the home side for not supplying a back-up generator on the day of the game. The matter was referred to a PSL DC, but in three months, there has still been no decision. Comitis fury Cape Town City owner John Comitis hammered the PSL this week for the amount of time this is taking. ALSO READ: Has Riveiro's departure affected Pirates players 'I am extremely perturbed by how the League and the executive have left the matter of the Golden Arrows versus SuperSport United game unresolved, despite it being addressed by the Disciplinary Committee,' Comitis told IOL. Are the PSL waiting to see if Cape Town City are officially consigned to the play-offs, before making a decision? As it stands, it certainly looks that way.
IOL News
18-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Cape Town City chairman slams PSL over delayed fixture decision amid governance concerns
Furious Cape Town City boss John Comitis has slammed PSL for dragging their heels. Image: BACKPAGEPIX In a wave of disillusionment, Cape Town City FC chairman John Comitis has expressed outrage over the PSL indecisiveness regarding the postponed fixture between SuperSport United and Golden Arrows. In February, the Betway Premiership clash was abandoned at half-time due to a power outage caused by loadshedding. Nearly three months later, the PSL have yet to make a final ruling on the outcome of the match. Stakeholders are baffled by the league's apparent hesitation, raising concerns about governance, transparency, and possible conflicts of interest. Comitis voiced his growing frustration when contacted by Independent Media, stating that clubs are preparing for the final rounds of the season without clarity on their true point standings. Video Player is loading. 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Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ A similar issue occurred in 2019 when delays in decision-making prompted then-Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane to lament, 'You don't know how many points you have in the bag; this thing takes too long. You can't fight when you don't know how much ammunition you have.' Comitis echoed those sentiments, 'After 25 years of the PSL, we still can't finish a league on the same day. We should arrive at training this week with teams having played the same number of games.' The PSL has long touted themselves as 'the best in Africa' and 'among the best in the world,' yet now finds themselves mired in controversy. Much of this centres on the appointment of Mato Madlala — the chairperson and owner of Lamontville Golden Arrows — as acting chief executive officer (CEO). This dual role has intensified concerns about impartiality and poor corporate governance. Critics argue that her continued involvement with a competing club undermines the credibility of league decisions, particularly in matters involving Golden Arrows. Comitis did not mince words. 'I can't send a letter to the CEO of the PSL because she has a conflict of interest. I can't even pick up the phone and call her to ask what is happening. "I am extremely perturbed by how the League and the executive have left the matter of the Golden Arrows versus SuperSport United game unresolved, despite it being addressed by the Disciplinary Committee. 'How is it possible that a situation from February remains unresolved just as we approach the final two games of the season? "This impacts the potential relegation of Golden Arrows, SuperSport United, and Cape Town City.' Three points on the road, and focus shifts to next Saturday ✅ A 𝒃𝒊𝒈 week lies ahead #iamCityFC — Cape Town City FC (@CapeTownCityFC) May 18, 2025 He continued, 'We handle other matters swiftly, yet this case is left hanging. "It's disappointing because I thought we had moved past such issues. The teams that played against Royal AM and secured points were at a disadvantage — including Golden Arrows and Cape Town City. Additionally, we received yellow cards against Royal AM, which had serious implications later on, and those cards still stand.' Comitis questioned the league's progress, saying, 'It's nearly 30 years since the PSL was established, and we still can't get it right. 'The case involving SuperSport and Golden Arrows should have been resolved at least a month ago. I'm raising this issue because it affects three clubs that are vying for the same outcomes. There is simply no excuse for the lack of resolution. 'Similar cases have been dealt with in the past, and regardless of the outcome, I'm not prescribing what should happen. But if the League wants to uphold integrity and fair play, the current situation is unacceptable.' As the PSL continues to delay its ruling, questions mount within the South African football community. Is this merely bureaucratic inefficiency, or could it point to deeper governance failures? With the stakes higher than ever, Comitis and other stakeholders are demanding transparency. The outcome of this unresolved match — and the league's handling of it — could have a lasting impact on both club standings and the credibility of South African football. Supporters across the country will be watching closely to see how this critical chapter unfolds.
