Latest news with #DurbanCity
TimesLIVE
7 hours ago
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
‘Humiliated' Kadodia awaits PSL to confirm Durban City's promotion
After the protests against Durban City were dismissed on Monday and the club officially promoted to the Betway Premiership, chair Farook Kadodia says he has never endured such humiliation in his administrative career as being denied the trophy in the final day. City are finally the official champions of the Motsepe Foundation Championship (MFC) after an arbitration dismissed two cases against them. The trophy and prize money were not presented to the Durban club after they clinched the title in the final game with a 1-0 win against Cape Town Spurs at Athlone Stadium on May 18 that also relegated their opposition. The Premier Soccer League (PSL) said then a trophy would not be presented pending cases brought by JDR Stars and Spurs over the alleged improper registration of winger Saziso Magawana by the KwaZulu-Natal team.
IOL News
2 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
We always knew we were innocent, says Durban City chairman Farook Kadodia
Durban City's Farook Kadodia, second left, could finally celebrate promotion to the PSL after the club was cleared of all wrongdoing earlier this week, ending a tense legal battle and securing the 2024/25 MFC title. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix After weeks of legal wrangling and off-field drama, Durban City can finally breathe a sigh of relief — and start dreaming big. Cleared of all wrongdoing in a high-stakes player registration dispute, the newly crowned Motsepe Foundation Championship (MFC) winners are now set to take their place in South Africa's top flight for the 2025/26 season. City were officially found not guilty regarding the eligibility of one of their players on Tuesday after they were twice forced to defend themselves in disciplinary proceedings. JDR Stars lodged a protest in May, claiming that Saziso Magawana, who had joined from Marumo Gallants, had been improperly registered when he moved to the club. The PSL's Disciplinary Committee investigated the matter and dismissed the complaint. Stars exercised their right to appeal, this time joined by relegation-threatened Cape Town Spurs, but this past week their appeal was also dismissed by Safa arbitration. City were finally awarded the MFC title and secured their place in the Betway Premiership next season. As a result of the failed protest, both JDR Stars and the Cape side were ordered to cover all the expenses arising from their actions against City and the player involved. Following the final ruling, City chairman Farook Kadodia expressed his satisfaction with the outcome. 'The outcome of the arbitration was what we expected,' Kadodia told Independent Newspapers on Wednesday. 'We were basically embarrassed in relation to the arbitration and dispute resolution chamber, even though we had already won our initial case with the PSL. The matter went to arbitration, and the outcome was very clear.' Kadodia added that, despite the team's efforts throughout the season, they were denied the chance to enjoy the celebrations they had earned. 'It was really disappointing that the players weren't able to celebrate with the trophy and be officially recognised as champions on the pitch,' he said. 'I haven't spoken to anyone from the PSL yet — my only communication has been with Safa. I'm still not sure whether there will be any formal trophy celebrations.' 'You put in so much work all season long, and when you finally achieve something meaningful, you want to enjoy it. Then you go home. Some players are still around because they were waiting for the result of the case.' The chairman also emphasised that the verdict came as no surprise to the club, as they had always maintained their innocence and followed the correct procedures.
IOL News
3 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Durban City to be crown NFD champions after case against them is dismissed by Safa arbitration
Durban City can seemingly start celebrating their promotion to the Betway Premiership, if reports on Monday are to be believed. Photo: Backpagepix Durban City can start preparing for life in top-flight football next season after a case against the club was officially dismissed by arbitrator Hilton Epstein SC on Monday. City finished top of the Motsepe Foundation Championship this season, but their official coronation and promotion were halted by the PSL. This came after JDR Stars lodged a case against City for fielding Sazi Magawana, who was alleged not to have been appropriately registered by the club before the start of the season. Cape Town Spurs followed suit, playing their final match of the campaign — against City at home — under protest after Magawana was named in the starting line-up. Stars and Spurs lodged their complaints as a last-ditch attempt to either gain promotion or retain their National First Division status, respectively.
IOL News
4 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
The PSL's silly season becomes even sillier with legal wrangles on the increase
John Comitis John Comitis, Cape Town City FC chairman. Photo: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix Image: Photo: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix The post-Premiership period is often referred to as the 'silly season' in South African football — a time typically characterised by rampant speculation, transfer news, and managerial changes. However, this year, the tenor of the silly season has shifted dramatically, as the PSL finds itself ensnared in a bewildering series of legal disputes that are overshadowing the traditional excitement. Less than a week ago, the PSL finally resolved the contentious matter surrounding an abandoned match between SuperSport United and Lamontville Golden Arrows that occurred in March. The game, played a few days ago, ended in a 1–1 draw. This result confirmed that SuperSport retained their Premiership status. Meanwhile, Cape Town City, who languished in 15th place in the revised 15-team league, will now face the daunting challenge of the annual PSL promotion/relegation play-offs. As if that scenario were not enough, the intrigue thickened with ongoing legal challenges from clubs within the Motsepe Foundation Championship. Cape Town Spurs and JDR Stars have taken their battle against the apparent legality of Durban City's status as winners — due to the suspected use of an ineligible player — from PSL arbitration to the jurisdiction of Safa. There remains cautious optimism that this issue could also be resolved within the week. There is also talk that other National First Division clubs are keeping a close watch on proceedings, as some may have been impacted when playing against Durban City.
TimesLIVE
27-05-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Uncertainty over PSL's promotion playoffs as matches halted
What has been a chaotic PSL season could take a turn for the worse as the promotion-relegation playoffs, which were to kick off on Tuesday, are almost certain to be postponed due to an ongoing case over the registration of Durban City's Saziso Magawana. The playoffs draw was conducted last week, and a fixture between 'club 2' (runners-up in the Motsepe Foundation Championship, or MFC) and 'club 3' (the third-placed finishers) was to take place on Tuesday afternoon. However, Sowetan gathered on Monday the start of the playoffs has been put on hold, pending a verdict on the Magawana matter that is set to be heard by a South African Football Association (Safa) arbitrator, Adv Terry Motau SC, on a date to be confirmed. Durban City cemented their top spot in the MFC by beating Cape Spurs nearly two weeks ago. But Spurs played that game under protest, arguing City registered Magawana, their talismanic winger, improperly. Durban City chairman Farouk Kadodia remains optimistic as the club awaits a May 20 DC verdict on the Saziso Magawana registration case. City finished top of the Motsepe Foundation Championship, but celebrations are on hold pending the ruling. #motsepefoundationchampoinship — Sandile Ndumo® (@sandilendumo1) May 18, 2025 JDR Stars had already lodged a similar complaint against City with the Premier Soccer League (PSL) dispute resolution chamber, hence the KwaZulu-Natal club were not officially crowned champions. Last week, the league dismissed JDR's case with costs, prompting Spurs to take the case to Safa's arbitration. Motau referred Sowetan to PSL prosecutor Zola Majavu, who could not be reached for comment. The advocate revealed Durban City and Spurs were still deciding on a date for the sitting. 'We're going to have a follow-up meeting, and that's where we will decide, depending on what they've agreed upon in the minutes, as to when the matter will sit,' Motau said. 'I don't have the document yet, so I can't tell you anything about the case. 'Are they going to lead evidence? Are they going to rely on paper? How many days do they need? I don't know. What is the volume of documents involved? Have they agreed on the status of the document?' Magawana joined Durban City at the start of the season from Marumo Gallants, who had sold their second-tier status to Leruma United and bought the top-flight franchise of Moroka Swallows. Marumo gave Magawana his clearance. Spurs, however, argue Leruma should have been the ones to issue the player his clearance, meaning he was registered improperly. Orbit College and Casric Stars finished second and third in the MFC to enter the playoffs but if City have points deducted that would change. The 15th position in the Betway Premiership only to be decided on Thursday when 15th-placed SuperSport United and Golden Arrows resume their previously abandoned game in the second half at Lucas Moripe Stadium at noon. The game was called off due to a power and lights failure in February. With Royal AM expelled from the Premiership, no side will be automatically relegated (normally 16th place), with only the 15th-placed team going to the playoffs.
