Safa refers Tendai Ndoro case to Fifa

Arbitrator Advocate Nassir Cassim SC on Monday reserved judgment after a hearing in Johannesburg, where the PSL is appealing a decision by its own Dispute Resolution Chamber (DRC) to allow Ajax to field Tendai Ndoro‚ in spite of a Fifa law that says no player can play for three different teams in a single season.

Safa has now confirmed that Cassim has ruled that the Ndoro matter should be referred to Fifa.

“Arbitrator Nassir Cassim SC has ruled that the Tendai Ndoro matter be referred to the world football governing body, Fifa, arguing the PSL’s Dispute Resolution Chamber (DRC) does not have jurisdiction over the matter.

“Orlando Pirates and Polokwane City had lodged a protest with the PSL arguing that Ajax Cape Town had contravened Fifa rules by fielding the player. The player played for Pirates before signing for a Saudi Arabian side, Al Faisaly, before returning to the PSL to join Ajax.

“Fifa rules prohibit a player to play for three different clubs in a single season. In his ruling on Wednesday, 28 March 2018, Cassim SC referred the case to Fifa saying it was because the matter involved an overseas/international club. He also ruled that, in the meantime, the player should stop playing for Ajax,” read a statement on the Safa website.

Prior to joining Ajax in January, Ndoro had already played for Orlando Pirates and Al Faisaly.

Protests by Orlando Pirates and Polokwane City that Ajax contravened Fifa rules by fielding Ndoro were dismissed by the PSL Disciplinary Committee, which ruled that it had no jurisdiction over the matter.