CT Spurs set for legal battle with Kaizer Chiefs, AmaZulu over players

SABC Sport is in possession of a letter sent to captain Asanele Velebayi, Liam Bern and Luke Baartman ordering them to honour their existing contracts despite the club being relegated to the amateur ranks.   

The Urban Warriors officially dropped down from the Motsepe Foundation Championship to the third tier of South African football, which is the ABC Motsepe League last month – a scenario that, according to NSL rules – then opens the door for players to move as free agents given the status of the club. 

But in the document, CEO Alexi Efstathiou insists that Spurs midfielders Velebayi, Bern and Baartman are now in breach of contract having pulled a no-show when the rest of the squad returned for pre-season earlier this week. 

All three are believed to have concluded deals with Betway Premiership teams as both Velebayi and Baartman are strongly linked with moves to Chiefs pending formal announcements, while Bern is at AmaZulu. 

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“The employment contract concluded between Spurs and yourself remains valid and binding, and you will accordingly remain employed by Spurs until your employment contract comes to an end or a mutual agreement is reached between Spurs and yourself to terminate your employment contract at an earlier date,” reads the letter in part. 

Efstathiou added that Spurs would proceed with disciplinary action if the trio continued to abscond. The Urban Warriors are adamant they will honour their end of the existing contract but are also open to negotiating a transfer for a fee that meets the valuation of their players. 

The public broadcaster understands all three players have been advised to send termination letters requesting their clearances as free agents citing that Spurs are no longer a member of the Premier Soccer League as a professional entity.