Ajax coach Ertugral plays waiting game

The South African Football Association announced on May 15 that Ajax would be relegated after arbitrator William Mokhari docked them points for fielding Tendai Ndoro in games against Polokwane City, Platinum Stars and SuperSport United.

Ndoro was ineligible to play, according to Fifa rules, because he had already played for two other sides in the 2017/18 season.

Ajax originally finished 15th in the Premiership, but this dropped them to the bottom of the table, while Platinum Stars replaced them in the play-offs, which were ultimately won by Black Leopards.

Ajax, however, were in the South Gauteng High Court yesterday and today, attempting to get Mokhari’s decision overturned – that would see them effectively reinstated in 15th place, and may mean the play-offs have to be replayed.

“We have started in a rhythm of one day a session, and then one day off,” said Ertugral.

“By the end of the week I think we will know (what will happen).”

Ertugral went back to Europe after the regular season ended, and said the decision to relegate Ajax was greeted quizzically by the people he spoke to.

“I have been in Europe and asked a couple of other people how it was done in their country. In federations on that side, everyone was surprised by how it has been handled, but we will see how it goes at the end of the day,” added the Ajax coach.

“At this point I can’t leave the club in this situation, so obviously at the moment I am with the team. The play-offs, I don’t know (if they can be replayed) because of the time factor. I don’t know, we are waiting for the decision, then I can start to plan.”