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The turf war over the ownership of school football is far from over.
The SA Football Association (Safa) has decided to appeal the South Gauteng High Court ruling that set aside its 2015 resolution to disband its former affiliate, the SA Schools Football Association (Sasfa).
Judge AJ Nkosi earlier in the week ruled that the resolution “be declared unlawful and of no force and effect and set aside”.
The judge directed that the “parties’ dispute be referred to private arbitration”.
“In the event of a disagreement on a particular arbitrator appointed to hear the dispute, the Johannesburg Bar Council [will] be authorised to appoint an arbitrator within 10 days thereof, to hear the dispute between the two parties,” read part of the judgment.
Safa has decided to appeal the verdict. The association’s spokesperson Dominic Chimhavi confirmed it had filed a notice of appeal.
“It has always been our stance to go for arbitration,” said Chimhavi.
He said Safa would continue with its school programmes.
The two parties were at loggerheads over the appointment of an arbitrator.
Sasfa had objected to Safa appointing its own arbitrator, arguing it could not be a player and a referee on the matter.
Sasfa president Mandla “Shoes” Mazibuko said they felt vindicated by the verdict that a private arbitrator be appointed.
He, however, said Sasfa would have preferred the matter to be resolved in the boardroom rather than in a court of law.
After Monday’s verdict, the schools’ governing body extended an olive branch to the mother body for a round-table discussion.
Mazibuko said he wanted to meet with Safa president Danny Jordaan so that he could provide leadership.
“We are not going to be disruptive. We hope to find a solution that ensures a smooth transition back to the way things were, but if we fail to find each other, we will surely lean on the court order. We hope everybody will come to their senses,” said Mazibuko.
But he was quick to say that if they could not find each other, Sasfa would revoke the court order.
“We are still in charge of school football, any interference from Safa would be in contempt of court. We reserve our right to act within the law. If we have to go all the way for justice to be done, we will, but it’s not good for the sport.”
He said Safa should spell out what Sasfa’s mistakes were so they could be rectified.
“We should be given the same mandate that is given to the PSL for running professional football and University Sports SA, which runs university football.”
He said the stand-off has caused irreparable damage.
“We were on the verge of launching two sponsorships for girls, but no one wants to get into an unstable situation.”
He said Sasfa was running its programmes independently before applying for a Safa membership.
“We thought we would benefit in terms of technical support as it was stipulated in the memorandum of understanding when we joined Safa, but we were proven wrong.
“We had anticipated we would get more grants, but we are getting less. People are getting legacy trust fund monies, yet we are getting nothing. Regions got buses and cars, and Sasfa got absolutely nothing. We think we are better off outside than inside.”
Mazibuko, who lost to Jordaan in the 2013 Safa presidential elections, said he did not want to believe rumours that the standoff had anything to do with him running against Jordaan.
“If people feel I’m the stumbling block, I will simply walk away and focus on my life, if that would mean restoring order.”
