Cape Town Spurs await legal direction on Liam Bern, Mervin Boji

Spurs have appealed the PSL Dispute Resolution Chamber ruling involving defender Liam Bern and striker Mervin Boji, both of whom left Ikamva after the club’s relegation to the ABC Motsepe League. 

Under National Soccer League regulations, players are permitted to leave as free agents once their parent clubs drop from the professional ranks to amateur status. 

The Urban Warriors suffered a major setback last week when advocate Hilton Epstein ruled in a SAFA Arbitration matter in favour of midfielders Asanele Velebayi and Luke Baartman, declaring them free agents following Spurs’ relegation. 

Kaizer Chiefs had already signed both players but, had to await the arbitration outcome before registering them for official competition. 

SAFA is yet to appoint a new arbitrator to hear the submissions in the Bern and Boji cases, while Spurs remain undecided on whether they will continue the legal battle. 

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Efstathiou confirmed this to the public broadcaster on Tuesday night, saying Spurs  were “still in consultation with our legal team on various issues.”  

His remarks followed information gathered by SABC Sport suggesting Spurs had been urged to withdraw their appeal and allow the PSL DRC ruling to stand. 

The club already hinted in a statement last week that it was unlikely to take the Velebayi and Baartman matter any further, having accepted the Epstein award. 

Given the similarity of the Bern and Boji cases, legal sources believe the eventual outcome will likely mirror that of the two midfielders. 

While SAFA has not set a deadline for the hearings, senior officials insist the federation will not allow the issue to drag on, as both players remain in limbo. 

Bern has already signed for AmaZulu, while Boji joined Chippa United – but neither club will risk featuring the players until a final ruling is made.