Chiefs ‘shocked’ by news that PSL intends to review arbitrator’s ruling

Kaizer Chiefs say they have heard through their sources that the Premier Soccer League (PSL) is planning to take the arbitrator’s ruling in their matter on review.

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This comes after arbitrator Advocate Nazeer Cassim ruled that Chiefs were right in not playing their two games in December after a Covid-19 outbreak at the club’s headquarters in Naturena. 

Amakhosi released a statement last weekend expressing their happiness that justice had been served on the matter after it was ruled that the games would have to be played again. 

But on Wednesday night Chiefs published a statement on their website saying they have heard that the PSL will take the ruling on review. PSL prosecutor Zola Majavu had however previously said the ruling would be final. 

The statement reads: “Kaizer Chiefs is shocked and bewildered by the recent news reaching the club. Despite a lack of formal communication from the League, which one would expect, the club has been informed of the PSL Executive Committee’s resolution to review the arbitration award of Adv. Nazeer Cassim SC, which was handed down on Friday, 18 March 2022.

“The arbitration award correctly decided that the interruption in the club’s performance for the two missed December fixtures was temporarily halted by vis major (that is an overwhelming, unanticipated, and unpreventable event) created by Omicron.

“Notwithstanding the fair outcome and a costs award to those affected by the organising of the two matches, it appears the League is dissatisfied with the outcome and intends to review it, with a view of setting aside the award in the High Court. This unfortunate step has taken the club by surprise as in doing so the League is in breach of its own Constitution and Rules as well as SAFA Statutes which frown upon the Court systems for resolving football disputes. The club will have no choice but to defend such a challenge as it is of the view that the arbitrator came to the lawful and reasonable conclusion that, it would have been negligent if not reckless for the club to field a team for the two games, and that Kaizer Chiefs acted as a responsible employer in the circumstances.

“The matter shall soon be sub-judice, and the club shall not give any further comment in this regard. We trust that the football loving community will provide the club with the necessary respect and support required in attending to this matter.”