CT City lose SAFA arbitration, league kick-off cleared


SABC Sport had reported that the 2025/26 season faced uncertainty as City fought to retain their topflight status, appealing the Premier Soccer League’s ruling in the Marumo Gallants ineligible-player case.

But Hilton Epstein’s ruling on Friday dealt The Citizens another blow, ordering them to cover costs after a whirlwind few weeks spent trying to delay life in the lower division.

Gallants were found guilty of fielding midfielder Monde Mphambaniso without a clearance, but the PSL disciplinary committee imposed only a R200 000 fine — half suspended — and cleared the player.

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City appealed, hoping a reversal would see them reinstated to the elite league while either Gallants or Orbit College lost their Premiership status on the eve of kick-off.

The Mother City outfit had even written to the High Court indicating their intention to interdict matches involving the two sides this month if the SAFA arbitrator ruled in their favour.

Instead, the bid collapsed on Friday evening, with City ordered to pay the sitting costs at the highest scale of monetary recovery.

The campaign now kicks off in Gqeberha at 3pm, with reigning champions Mamelodi Sundowns away to Chippa United at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium — and a full round of fixtures to follow over the weekend.

City still have the option to approach the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which would mean more time and money, before the Motsepe Foundation Championship — the PSL’s second tier — starts on 22 August.