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In the wake of the drama surrounding Khama Billiat’s purported pending transfer from Kaizer Chiefs to Mamelodi Sundowns, the PSL has warned its member clubs to refrain from illegally tapping players – or face dire consequences.
In a strongly worded circular to its members, the PSL warned clubs to “respect contracts” and avoid “making illegal approaches and/or inducing breach of contract”.
While the document did not reveal the name(s) of the complainants or culprits, City Press has been reliably informed that Chiefs and SuperSport United penned formal complaints to the league.
Both complained about Sundowns.
“A member club of the league has raised concerns, in writing, with the league concerning alleged approaches to certain players of the club by the member club officials of another club,” read part of the circular, dated August 21 and signed by PSL lawyer Michael Murphy.
“The member club in question asked that the league issue a circular cautioning all member clubs regarding such matters as a first step before referral of complaints concerning the issue of the code of ethics or otherwise.
“If charges are brought in a case of this nature and guilt is shown, then this is misconduct, which all member clubs have made plain is serious. It is also conduct that is treated seriously internationally, so the most serious forms of sanction would in all probality be sought and may be handed down the disciplinary committee.”
Murphy confirmed writing the letter and said it was just a reminder to the clubs to adhere to the league’s code of conduct.
A public spat ensued between Chiefs and Sundowns last month over Billiat, with Amakhosi rejecting claims of any talks between the two powerhouses as “completely false”.
Chiefs football manager Bobby Motaung reiterated yesterday that there were no negotiations around Billiat and that the Zimbabwean international was going nowhere.
Motaung declined to comment on their contact with the PSL.
Meanwhile, SuperSport’s complaint to the league had to do with rumours that Sundowns were attempting to lure defender Aubrey Modiba across ahead of tomorrow’s transfer deadline, our sources within both clubs revealed.
City Press tried in vain to get comment from Sundowns and SuperSport.
Neither Sundowns acting general manager Yogesh Singh nor SuperSport boss Stanley Matthews responded to phone calls and text messages.
With the domestic player transfer window slamming shut tomorrow at midnight, the PSL advised its members to “conduct themselves and the affairs of the member clubs with professionalism and integrity”, as well as to “respect the contractual obligations and responsibilities of one another’s employees, in particular one another’s players, and not make illegal approaches or induce any breach of contract”.
Usually, the transfer window closes on the last day of August, but the PSL extended the cut-off to tomorrow in line with the rules.
The league’s handbook stipulates that, should the last day of August fall on a weekend, the deadline would be moved to the next available business day, which is tomorrow in this case.
With most clubs having already reinforced their squads during the preseason, it is unlikely that there will be any big-name signings on deadline day. This also naturally rules out any possible moves by the likes of Billiat and Modiba, who were expected to be the major deals during the current window.
But there could be last-minute movements as some players are looking for game time elsewhere.
The likes of Jeremy Brockie and George Lebese, who are yet to feature for Sundowns, could be on the move.
Pirates are also looking to bring in a defender to bolster their squad.
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