Black Leopards on thin ice as PSL issues final warning over FIFA ban

Leopards wrote to the League, requesting that their home match against Upington City be moved as they could not meet the U23 player requirement due to their squad restrictions. 

In the second tier, all clubs must include five U23 players in the match-day squad, with at least two on the field at all times.

Lidoda Duvha’s troubles stem from their acquisition of the Cape Town All Stars franchise in 2023, in an effort to avoid relegation to the amateur ranks, but with that purchase came with unresolved compensation issues. 

FIFA had sanctioned All Stars, with Leopards now unable to register new players, leading to stark consequences for the Limpopo outfit. 

In their opening match against Casric Stars, Leopards fielded only 10 players and had to use defender Thendo Mukumela as their goalkeeper in a 3-0 defeat. 

READ: Spurs lose fourth player on free after Mervin Boji gets all-clear

A week later, they managed a 2-2 draw with University of Pretoria, but the match was played under protest after Leopards failed to meet the U23 quota.

The PSL confirmed that postponing the Upington City fixture was to avoid an inevitable protest and possible forfeiture, but the League’s football department stressed this was a one-off concession.

“On this one occasion, to afford Leopards a short period to comply with FIFA’s requirements, and in light of the absence of opposition, the Football Department has resolved to grant a postponement,” read a letter from the PSL.

“Importantly, no further postponements can be granted if the FIFA ban remains in place. Leopards now has a short opportunity to address its issues with FIFA and have FIFA confirm that the ban has been lifted. 

"If compliance matters are not resolved, no further postponements will be granted.”

The warning leaves Leopards with little room for manoeuvre as they scramble to resolve the ban before their season unravels.