ABC Motsepe League National Playoff semifinals engulfed in arbitration storm

KwaZulu-Natal representatives in the tournament, Midlands Wanderers, took SAFA to arbitration, arguing that they were unfairly knocked out of the tournament.

This was the club's response to SAFA announcing Zizwe United as the best runner-up and the fourth team to play in the play-off semifinals, just yesterday.

Wanderers and Zizwe United finished on the same number of goals and goal difference, and so it came down to the disciplinary record.

SAFA Competitions Committee member Chris Chawana had this to say yesterday before a conclusion was reached.

"According to the regulations of this competition, Midlands Wanderers are permitted to seek arbitration if they are not happy. The legal department of SAFA is now dealing with the matter, and it is likely that the first semifinal between Zizwe United and Gomora United will be postponed until an outcome of the arbitration is reached. The second semifinal will go ahead as planned," explained the SAFA Competitions Committee member.

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However, a lot has happened since. 

The arbitration has ruled in favour of Midlands Wanderers, and a replay of the match between Zizwe United and Midlands Wanderers has been ordered to kick off at 11 am, and the semifinals will then take place later in the afternoon. 

Zizwe United from the Western Cape had also arrived in this tournament just a few hours before their opening game after they had managed to win a case in their own province and forced a replay of the provincial decider, which they ended up winning.

Speaking through club representative Sithandiwe Bobotyana, this is how Zizwe United responded to the matter yesterday...

"According to a letter written by SAFA, the fourth semifinalist and the best runner-up were to be decided based on the result of match 1. Our view is that SAFA's decision has been taken in line with the rules, so I'm comfortable and sure that the semifinal draw will stand."

SABC Sport understands that the arbitration on this matter sat throughout last night, and a ruling was finally made this morning, which indicates the way forward for SAFA.

When the semifinals are eventually confirmed, the two finalists and the third and fourth place playoff winner will be promoted to the Motsepe Foundation Championship.

Wanderers head coach Vincent “Masenti” Myeni says their argument is based on the misinterpretation of rules by SAFA...

"This current situation is abnormal. There is a clear unevenness between the teams, because only seven of the nine clubs are here, two of the groups only contain two teams, while our group contains three teams. So there is a clear disadvantage whichever way you look at it."

The controversy around this tournament doesn’t just start with this case but also SAFA’s decision to stick with only seven teams instead of the full quota of all nine provincial winners, as they left out Eastern Cape and Limpopo winners due to outstanding legal issues.

At 10 o'clock this morning, Sinenkani FC and three other teams from this division will also have their case against SAFA heard at the Makhanda High Court.

SAFA has been found wanting on their own rules in this league and the playoff tournament, according to Myeni and many others.