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Time is fast running out for the consortium of investors seeking to conclude a deal to buy Free State Stars and bring Moroka Swallows back into the Premier Soccer League (PSL).
The consortium is spearheaded by Gauteng education MEC Panyaza Lesufi, who could not be reached for comment yesterday.
Although the two parties have agreed on the deal, nothing has been lodged with the league as yet.
The new club will hopefully revive Swallows. They will train in Bedfordview in Ekurhuleni and play their games at Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto.
City Press can reveal that until all the suspensive conditions have been met, there will be no deal.
The league has not made any statement since it was reported that the agreement was done.
PSL acting chief executive Mato Madlala said there was nothing on the table and so they had not said anything. “We have to protect ourselves as we do not want to be implicated in things we do not know.”
With a few more weeks left before the beginning of the season next month, time is not on the new owners’ side. A delay could bring about further expenses and complications, said a PSL insider.
“Clubs are finalising their programmes.
“Imagine if they now have to play in Cape Town when they had made arrangements to play in the Free State?” said the source.
“This is one of the things that would have to be considered. There are other conditions – such as, when a club is bought during the season, it cannot change its name and home venue,” said the insider.
Another source close to Lesufi confirmed that there were still a few outstanding matters before the deal could be finalised.
But the source said the agreement would not disrupt labour relations at the club, meaning they would have to incorporate everyone involved with the Free State side.
“‘Almost’ would be the appropriate word. The deal is almost done ‘lock, stock and barrel’, as they usually say in business,” maintained the source.
However, he added that the agreement excluded three or four players.
“There were specific players who were not part of the deal. The fact that Stars have sold a few players does not mean there is any bad faith in them. They were just not part of the deal.”
Stars have already sold three players – Sello Japhta, Ayanda Nkosi and Justice Chabalala – to Orlando Pirates.
Former Stars assistant coach, Bradley Carnell, has also joined the Bucs ship as Muhsin Ertugral’s number two.
Efforts to get hold of Stars boss Mike Mokoena were unsuccessful. He failed to return messages left on his phone.
