Bloemfontein Celtic have announced that their appeal against Mamelodi Sundowns man Tebogo Langerman has been unsuccessful at a Premier Soccer League (PSL) arbitration hearing.
Phunya Sele Sele protested the eligibility of the Sundowns defender Tebogo Langerman, who was an unused substitute in Downs’ 1-0 win over Celtic in the Nedbank Cup final.
Langerman picked up five yellow cards prior to the final and the experienced player was suspended for the match which was played at Orlando Stadium in Soweto.
The case was referred to urgent arbitration and Celtic have now lost their hearing on a technicality for their late submission of their “protest.”
This was confirmed by Celtic chief executive officer Khumbulani Konco when speaking on Metro FM‘s Marawa Sport Worldwide on Friday evening.
“The arbitration sat and the arbitrator said we should have lodged a complaint 30 minutes before the game. We lost the case,” Konco said.
“I’m disappointed with the PSL prosecutor Nande Becker. When it comes to other teams he becomes a Lion but when it comes to Sundowns he becomes a cat.”
Sundowns are said to have admitted guilt for their part in including a suspended player in their team sheet.
With the win the Brazilians completed a treble, having also clinched the PSL title and Telkom Knockout Cup in a single season.
While Celtic qualified for next season’s Caf Confederation Cup by virtue of being the Nedbank Cup runners-up.
Sundowns will represent the country in the Caf Champions League after lifting their third PSL title.