Officially, Cape Town City has prevailed in the Gallants case, leaving uncertainty about the opening of the PSL season.
South African Premier Soccer League: Marumo Gallants Found Guilty of Improper Registration
The South African Premier Soccer League (PSL) is facing a significant challenge as the league grapples with the question of whether the upcoming season can proceed as planned or if a late reshuffle is necessary. This comes following the PSL Disciplinary Committee's ruling that Marumo Gallants have been found guilty of improperly registering Monde Mphambaniso for the 2024–25 season.
The controversy began when Cape Town City accused Gallants of failing to produce the necessary clearance certificate for Mphambaniso, who was previously registered with Leruma United in the Motsepe Foundation Championship. This alleged improper registration violates NSL Rule 31.8.9.3.
The South African Football Association (SAFA) arbitrator, Nazeer Cassim, ruled in favor of Cape Town City, leading to a formal investigation by the PSL Disciplinary Committee into Mphambaniso's eligibility.
If Gallants, who fielded Mphambaniso in 26 matches last season, are found guilty, they risk points deductions for those matches. This could potentially overturn Cape Town City's relegation and see them reinstated to the top division just weeks after their relegation via playoffs. Such a scenario would have serious implications not only for the clubs involved but also for the PSL season schedule, threatening disruptions to the MTN8 tournament and the Premiership kickoff planned for early August 2025.
Gallants have claimed they have received no formal communication regarding the ruling from the league, with spokesperson Sello Nduna stating they only became aware of the decision through social media. Cape Town City chairman John Comitis, on the other hand, has remained cautious, choosing to wait for the matter's conclusion before commenting.
The PSL and its Dispute Resolution Chamber have managed a high-stakes process under tight time constraints before reaching the ruling. If Gallants are penalized, it could be a significant setback for the Bloemfontein-based club, who finished 10th last season. Conversely, a points deduction for Gallants could potentially see Cape Town City reinstated to the top flight, overturning their relegation.
This ruling represents a major procedural and competitive upheaval within the PSL ahead of the 2025–26 season. Such a late upheaval could cause disruption to the league's preparations, particularly for the MTN8 and the Premiership, which are scheduled to begin this weekend and on August 9, respectively.
It is important to note that this article does not provide any new facts related to the eligibility investigation or potential consequences for Gallants. The PSL's disciplinary committee has been instructed to investigate Mphambaniso's eligibility further, and the matter remains ongoing.
This article was contributed by CSA-accredited freelance cricket writer, Tims, who is also a cricket commentator for Guerilla Cricket SA and founder of the Full Quota Podcast.
The ongoing issue in the South African Premier Soccer League (PSL) has raised questions about the upcoming season, with Marumo Gallants potentially facing points deductions due to the improper registration of player Monde Mphambaniso. This controversy could lead to a shift in the league standings, with Cape Town City being reinstated to the top division if Gallants are penalized. The implications of this ruling are significant, as it could disrupt the MTN8 tournament and the Premiership kickoff scheduled for early August 2025. Meanwhile, the PSL continues to investigate Mphambaniso's eligibility, and betting on the final outcome of the case could be an interesting aspect for sports prediction enthusiasts.
