The Mabhuti Khanyeza’s saga is far from over.
This is after the Premier Soccer League (PSL) announced its intentions to refer the Mpumalanga Black Aces’ striker’s case for arbitration.
In a dramatic turn of events the PSL released a statement last Friday, in which it boldly announced plans to lodge an appeal against Khanyeza’s recent ruling by the South African Football Association (Safa) Appeals Board.
“The PSL has referred the matter involving Mabhudi Khanyeza for arbitration. This follows the decision of the Safa Appeals Board. It upheld the verdict by the PSL disciplinary committee but it reviewed the 12-months suspension by them to a monetary fine of R50 000, R25 000 of which is suspended for 12 months.
The PSL will advise on the date of the arbitration. The league will make no further statement on the matter,” read their statement.
The temperamental but highly gifted striker, was initially charged by the PSL for swearing and spitting at a match official, Zakhele Siwela. This happened when Khanyeza was still plying his trade at Ajax Cape Town on April 2.
After a brief appearance before the PSL’s disciplinary committee, on both May 17 and 23, Khanyeza was found guilty and was suspended from all football activities under the auspices of the league for a period of 12 months.
He appealed this verdict and the latter was handled by the Safa Appeal Board, which overturned the committee’s initial ruling.
It is understood that the PSL had earlier, after learning that they had misread their own rules, apologised to Mpumalanga Black Aces in writing after the league had accused and threatened the team for fielding Khanyeza during their encounter against Kaizer Chiefs at the Mbombela Stadium.
It is still unclear on which grounds the PSL is challenging the Safa’s recent ruling on this matter.
