This is after the league’s Dispute Resolution Chamber (DRC) dismissed JDR Stars’ case, that the KwaZulu-Natal side had fielded an improperly registered player in Saziso Magawana. Magawana played the contested game on May 5 at home.
The decision leaves the door open for City to play in the Betway Premiership next season.
However, the last hurdle is that the relegated Cape Spurs also played against the same City on Sunday, May 18. They lost the game 1-0 but protested against the fielding of Magawana. They claimed to have concrete evidence that Saziso was improperly registered by the KwaZulu-Natal side. The Spurs’ case is scheduled for May 22.
Trophy already in City’s hands
Pending the resolution of the JDR Stars’ case, the league handed the trophy over to City following their narrow 1-0 victory away to Spurs at the Athlone Stadium last Sunday. City finished their season on top of the log with 58 points.
Club owner, Farouk Kadodia, had maintained that they did nothing wrong, and they didn’t have doubts the league would rule in their favour.
In its ruling, the DRC said it found no merit in the Stars case and that Durban City had complied with all the rules to register Magawana. It added that such registration was confirmed to City, hence dismissed Stars’ protest with costs.
Leopards will not be happy
The latest development has since cast doubt over Black Leopards. The club would have earned passage to the promotional play-offs had the league found City guilty and docked them all the 28 points earned from matches Magawana played this season.
Meanwhile, the PSL Promotional Play-Offs involving Motsepe Foundation Championship sides Orbit College and Casric Stars and the club that finishes 15th in the Betway Premiership are scheduled for May 27-June 14.
