Bela-Bela Soccer Academy Mayor’s Cup protest dismissed

The Waterberg region of the South African National Foortball Association (SAFA) dismissed a protest by Bela-Bela Soccer Academy FC over Spa Park Sporting allegedly fielding a defaulter.

SAFA said in a statement that investigations had found and concluded that Spa Park Sporting FC striker, Donnie Alberts, was a “free agent” when he donned the colours of the team.

The dispute in question was during the Bela-Bela Mayor’s Cup encounter against Bela-Bela Soccer Academy FC.

The academy squad was sent out packing from the Mayor’s Cup by Spa Park Sporting two weekend ago.

The Bela-Bela Soccer Academy then cried foul, alleging that Alberts was registered with Waterberg SAB Regional League campaigners, Bela-Bela Diesel ‘n Dust FC, at the time he donned Spa Park Sporting colours against the academy.

The SAFA statement ruled that when the Waterberg SAB Regional League season ended in recent weeks, players registered with all teams automatically became free agents, such as was the case with Alberts.

“According to our investigations, Donavan Alberts was registered to play in the SAB league for the 2017/18 season.

“We confirm further that as and when the season (SAB) ceased, players who were registered and bound to specific teams now become free agents, and can be registered with any team of their choice,” the statement explained.

The regional association further ruled that Spa Park Sporting FC did no field Alberts “as a defaulter” on the day of the match, and therefore dismissed the academy’s protest.

Alberts said in an interview on Monday 16 July that he would continue to play for Spa Park Sporting FC, and had no offers whatsoever to play in the higher leagues.

— The BEAT