The situation regarding Tendai Ndoro is one that has been rolling on for almost half a year now, we take a look at the twists and turns of the saga.
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After Ndoro played for Ajax Cape Town in January there were questions raised over his eligibility having already represented Orlando Pirates and Al Faisaly in Saudi Arabia, with the club originally leaving him out of the team.
However, things got complicated when the PSL's Dispute Resolutions Chamber gave the Urban Warriors permission to play him, a decision that ultimately led to Ajax having points docked and being relegated from the top-flight.
Here's how things went down:
2017
19/08 — Plays for Orlando Pirates v Chippa United
22/08 — Joins Al Faisaly in Saudi Arabia
15/09 — Makes Al Faisaly league debut
25/11 — Scores first Al Faisaly goal
30/12 — Signs for Ajax Cape Town
2018
12/01 — Makes Ajax debut, scores as they beat Platinum Stars
24/01 — Eligibility is thrown into question
26/01 — Dropped for Ajax's game v Free State Stars
29/01 — Urgent hearing begins at Dispute Resolutions Chamber
31/01 — DRC rule in favour of Ajax and Ndoro
— PSL appeal the decision of the DRC
— FIFA respond, suggesting that Ndoro isn't eligible to play
— Ndoro plays as Ajax beat Pirates 3-0
02/02 — FIFA confirm contact from PSL and SAFA
16/02 — Pirates and Polokwane City lodge complaint
08/03 — SuperSport lodge complaint
24/03 — PSL's Disciplinary Committee dismisses protest of Polokwane Pirates
28/03 — Arbitrator instructs Ajax to stop playing Ndoro, matter referred to FIFA
16/04 — FIFA's Players' Status Committee refers the matter back to SA authorities
19/04 — Matter goes to Gauteng High Court
24/04 — High Court dismisses Ajax's application for review of arbitrator's ruling
04/05 — Pirates withdraw their complaint
09/05 — SAFA Arbitration date set for May 11th
10/05 — SAFA Arbitration cancelled because Advocate isn't available
15/05 — Ajax found guilty of fielding ineligible Ndoro. Docked points, relegated
18/05 — Ajax's appeal for an urgent interdict of the play-offs was dismissed
30/05 — Black Leopards win promotion into the Absa Premiership
01/06 — Date set for review of decision to dock Ajax's points
14-15/06 — Matter to return to High Court for a decision on the review
What FIFA's Rules Say
"Players may be registered with a maximum of three clubs during one season. During this period, the player is only eligible to play official matches for two clubs. As an exception to this rule, a player moving between two clubs belonging to associations with overlapping seasons (i.e. start of the season in summer/autumn as opposed to winter/spring) may be eligible to play in official matches for a third club during the relevant season, provided he has fully complied with his contractual obligations towards his previous clubs. Equally, the provisions relating to the registration periods (article 6) as well as to the minimum length of a contract (article 18 paragraph 2) must be respected.
"Under all circumstances, due consideration must be given to the sporting integrity of the competition. In particular, a player may not play official matches for more than two clubs competing in the same national championship or cup during the same season, subject to stricter individual competition regulations of member associations."
What The NSL Handbook Says
"An appeal against an order of the Disciplinary Committee or the Dispute Resolution Chamber will not suspend the operation of that order pending the finalisation of any appeal or arbitration in respect of that order."
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