Chiefs matches will be replayed regardless of hearing, results may not matter

The ongoing saga involving Kaizer Chiefs and the Premier Soccer League is expected to be set down for a court date on 10 May, but before then, a key directive appears to have been passed down.

In information that has now come to light, it appears that a key decision has been made to prevent a disruption and any delays to the end of the league season.

In short, the two missed matches will go ahead and be replayed even as the matter remains unresolved. Depending on the outcome of the legal proceedings, if it goes in favour of Chiefs, then the results of the two replayed matches will stand.

However, if the league is successful in its review application, the log will be adjusted to reflect the outcome “as if the matches had not been played”.

This all dates back to the fact that Chiefs were unable to honour two league matches against Golden Arrows and Cape Town City towards the end of last year due to a widespread Covid-19 outbreak at their headquarters in Naturena.

Those games were then expected to be replayed after a key arbitration decision, but Amakhosi have since suggested they had been informed of the PSL Executive Committee’s resolution to review the arbitration award of Adv. Nazeer Cassim SC.

The result had initially come down in favour of Chiefs, but the league was not satisfied with the arbitration outcome and approached the high court to review and possibly set aside the decision from Cassim.

That court battle will begin on 10 May in the Johannesburg High Court, which could come just weeks before the season comes to its conclusion. If the case drags on, it could have had a big impact on the final log standings.

Speaking to the media this week, Tinkler has said it’s “ridiculous” that the matter still hasn’t been resolved, leaving all the clubs in a state of limbo.

“For us first and foremost, the win, trying to get the fifth win in a row against Royal AM is the most important factor,” Tinkler said ahead of their league clash with Royal AM on Saturday, as quoted by Goal.com.

“Second factor is do we get the points, don’t we get the points against Chiefs? That’s still all up in the air, which I think is absolutely ridiculous that this hasn’t been resolved.”

“Remember the rules are the rules, can’t be rules for different fools?”