Soccer Laduma has been reliably informed that Cape Town Spurs are appealing to the South African Football Association (SAFA) against the verdict declaring Luke Baartman a free agent.
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On Tuesday, Kaizer Chiefs confirmed the signing of the teenage sensation after the Premier Soccer League’s (PSL) Dispute Resolution Chamber (DRC) greenlit his departure from Ikamva.
The ruling falls under Rule 43.1.4 of the National Soccer League (NSL) Handbook, which states: “A player may apply to the Dispute Resolution Chamber to be declared a free agent in the event of his Member Club ceasing to exist as a Member Club falling under the jurisdiction of the League.”
Last season, Spurs were relegated from the Motsepe Foundation Championship, and effectively ousted from the professional ranks as a result.
Despite their demotion to the amateur ranks, the Western Cape-based side maintain their stance that Baartman remains their player due to a legally binding contract, and they have now escalated the matter to SAFA.
Sources close to the situation have informed the Siya crew that the club will pay a R30,000 fee to have an arbitrator review their case, as they hope to have the Amajita star’s move to Naturena blocked.
The same two clubs are also embroiled in a similar dispute over Asanele Velebayi, who was likewise declared a free agent after a separate DRC panel ruled on his clearance following Spurs’ relegation.
It remains to be seen whether the Capetonian side will receive a favourable decision in either case but, while they wait, both youngsters are eligible for selection by Nasreddine Nabi and his technical team.
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Meanwhile, speaking to Soccer Laduma, Spurs Chief Executive Officer, Alexi Efstathiou, confirmed that the club has officially taken the matter to the national association.
“Yes, that part is true (appealing to SAFA), we just have to wait for a date regarding the hearing.”
Efstathiou went on to elaborate that the club believes it has a legitimate case to overturn the decision.
“They (Kaizer Chiefs) applied and the reason we defended is because we believe that Cape Town Spurs has a case. We still have the appeals to be heard, but we're not happy with the decision, but it is what it is, so we just plan on continuing to see where it takes us.”
