Richards Bay FC messed around once more
The goalposts keep being moved for NRB
THE PSL authorities have again shown their pathetic level of administration, with the GladAfrica Championship playoff start again postponed at the eleventh hour.
Having arrived at an empty uMhlathuze Stadium on Tuesday afternoon for their scheduled match against Royal AM – who never arrived despite the PSL instruction – Richards Bay FC immediately packed their bags and headed to Port Elizabeth to play Chippa United at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in a rescheduled programme, with televised kick-off due at 3pm today (Thursday).
ALSO READ: Richards Bay FC to play on Thursday
But it was another defiant no-show by the Durban-based Royal AM, who had threatened the PSL with ‘contempt of court’ legal action should the game proceed, as they wait for their leave to appeal to be heard, lodged against the awarding of the league title to Sekhukhune United.
It’s another huge disappointment for the NRB boys, as well as for Chippa United.
It’s also a costly postponement for the dithering PSL, who may just as well pull the winner from a hat as time runs out for a 30 June round robin playoff completion deadline as players’ contracts expire at month-end and the new season is due to begin in August.
The situation has angered football fans throughout the country, with speculation that Royal AM are the ‘untouchables’ and will wangle their way into automatic PSL promotion, be it through the courts or otherwise.
This is what the PSL had to say in response:
MEDIA STATEMENT
17 JUNE 2021
PSL MEDIA STATEMENT ON THE PROMOTION PLAY-OFFS
A legal dispute has arisen between Royal AM and the League as to whether the order granted by Nyathi AJ has been suspended as a result of the filing by the League of an application for leave to appeal Nyathi AJ’s order.
The League contends that the order has been suspended, while Royal AM contends that it has not.
In the circumstances, the League has elected to:-
- Postpone the start of the play-offs;
- Seek the urgent intervention of the High Court.
Unfortunately that means that Richards Bay Football Club and Chippa United Football Club will not be able to play their scheduled match today. The risks to the completion of the season are obvious but in view of the dispute the League has elected to act with an abundance of caution even in extremely trying circumstances for all Member Clubs, their players, and those affected in this matter.
Our further communication will follow as soon as we are in a position to.
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