Latest news with #JohnComitis
IOL News
2 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
6 days ago
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
City boss Comitis weighs legal action over delayed SuperSport-Arrows game
Cape Town City boss John Comitis is seeking legal advice on whether to challenge the Premier Soccer League's (PSL) decision to resume the SuperSport United v Golden Arrows Betway Premiership match in the second half on Thursday. The second 45 minutes will be played at Lucas Moripe Stadium (12pm), three months after the fixture was called off due to a power failure at half time with the score at 1-1. The game on February 23 was halted due to a lights failure related to load-shedding at the Tshwane venue, but PSL rules indicate is should have resumed within 48 hours, according to Article 14.16. 'Should a match be abandoned by the referee due to insufficient illumination from the floodlights, then the remaining minutes of the game will be resumed on a date and at a time and venue agreed upon between the participating member clubs immediately upon the abandonment of the match,' the rule states.
The Citizen
6 days ago
- 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.'
IOL News
22-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Stellenbosch FC coach Steve Barker: Cape Town City will be fighting for their lives in the derby
The stakes in the Western Cape derby between Cape Town City and Stellenbosch FC never have been higher than it will be at the DHL Stadium on Saturday. Picture: BackpagePix Image: Picture: BackpagePix It was only two seasons that Cape Town City were the toast of the town. They had finished runners-up to champions Mamelodi Sundowns and were heading into Africa to dine with the elite of the continent in the CAF Champions League for the first time. It was the realisation of a dream its charismatic owner John Comitis had when he resurrected the once iconic Cape Town football club back in 2016. Those heady days are though a distant memory with City's entire future hanging on the edge of a cliff heading into the final game of the 2024/25 season against high-flying neighbours Stellenbosch FC at DHL Stadium on Saturday (3pm kickoff). City are effectively in last place, with only the insolvent Royal AM below them, on the Betway Premiership ladder with a defeat to Stellies condemning the Citizens to the lottery of the relegation playoffs. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Even a win over Stellenbosch could still see City contest the playoffs should SuperSport United, who are level on 26 points but with a superior goal difference, beat Richards Bay and Golden Arrows emerge victorious against former City coach Eric Tinkler's Sekhukhune United. The stakes in the Western Cape derby are therefore so much more than just bragging rights this time around with the City's PSL status on the line. Meanwhile, in the maroon corner, Stellenbosch are in dreamland after finishing runners-up in the MTN8 competition and enjoying a maiden CAF Confederation Cup run all the way to the semi-finals, which included a victory over Egyptian giants Zamalek in the quarter-finals in Cairo. Crucially, Stellies have not allowed their Betway Premiership form to falter and currently occupy third position. However, Steve Barker's men need to claim all three points if they are to be ensured of an African adventure again next season due to Sekhukhune United breathing down their necks just a point behind in fourth place. A limited number of 𝑭𝑹𝑬𝑬 Cape Derby tickets are still available exclusively at the selected FNB branches below: 🔘 Gugulethu Square 🔘 The Junxion Mall, Phillipi 🔘 Ottery Centre 🔘 Vangate, Bridgetown, Athlone If you haven't secured yours yet, now's your chance. Tickets… — Cape Town City FC (@CapeTownCityFC) May 21, 2025 'Yes, when the fixture list came out right at the beginning of the season, seeing that we're playing City on the last day of the season, I always anticipated it would be a great way to end the season, a massive derby between the two clubs,' Barker said. 'Obviously, as it has panned out over the season, it's a very, very key game for both clubs, obviously for different reasons. Obviously, I think they're fighting for their lives and therefore it doesn't make the game at all any easier. 'In fact, I believe it makes it difficult because obviously they'll be fighting for survival and it does become tricky. But it's important that we also focus on what we need to achieve and keep our commitment as high as it can be until the last kick of the ball in the last game.
IOL News
20-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates seal CAF Champions League spots as final-day drama looms across PSL
Mamelodi Sundowns celebrate winning the Betway Premiership. Photo: BackpagePix Image: Backpagepix Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates' abilities to make hay while the sun shone mean they are the only two teams to have secured coveted spots ahead of the season finale. Sundowns were duly crowned Betway Premiership champions on Sunday night after beating Magesi 2–0 in their final game of the league season. The Brazilians had clinched their record-extending eighth consecutive title after their penultimate game, toppling several records along the way. It was another gallant and impressive campaign for Sundowns, with only Pirates managing to keep pace in the title race. However, the Sea Robbers' pursuit fell short, and they ultimately laboured to a second-place finish on the log for the third successive season under José Riveiro, who has since departed the club. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading The Buccaneers secured the runners-up position with five games to spare, as the rest of the teams failed to match their points tally. The race for third place, which grants entry into the CAF Confederation Cup — unlike the top two spots, which lead to the Champions League — remains undecided. Stellenbosch currently occupy the prized position with 47 points, just one ahead of Sekhukhune United, ahead of their final fixtures against Cape Town City and Golden Arrows respectively. On paper, both Stellies and Sekhukhune are favourites, as City and Arrows are embroiled in the relegation scrap with only one point separating them. The Citizens sit 15th on the log with 26 points, one behind Abafana Bes'thende, who have two games in hand. Should City fail to beat Stellies, they will find themselves in the promotion/relegation play-offs — a fall from grace for a club of their stature. Club chairman John Comitis is already incensed by the PSL's delay in resolving the 'abandoned' match between Arrows and SuperSport United. 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 SuperSport failed to produce a backup generator at Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium after load shedding disrupted the match before the second half. Although load shedding was an act of force majeure, SuperSport, as hosts, were expected to have a generator in place. Their failure to do so could see them sanctioned by the PSL, and the fixture potentially awarded to Arrows as a 3–0 walkover. While such an outcome would not severely impact SuperSport, they remain confident of claiming at least three points from their final two games against Pirates and Richards Bay. Meanwhile, at least three MTN8 qualification spots remain up for grabs, with teams outside the top eight still hoping for a late push. Kaizer Chiefs, Marumo Gallants, Richards Bay, Magesi, and Arrows all have a mathematical chance, as eighth-placed Chippa United have completed their campaign with 31 points. These five teams must win their respective matches and hope other results go their way. Chiefs, in particular, are under immense pressure to secure a Top 8 finish given the size of the club and the potential implications for coach Nasreddine Nabi and his technical team. Nabi ended the club's 10-year trophy drought two weeks ago by defeating Pirates in the Nedbank Cup final, but even that achievement might not be enough to secure his position. The Tunisia-born coach cannot afford to falter, and his team must defeat Polokwane City at home in their final league match to have any chance of qualifying for the MTN8.
