The Premier Soccer League has confirmed that AmaZulu have been docked six points and as such have revised the Absa Premiership standings.
AmaZulu have been docked points by the PSL for failure to comply with a Fifa ruling in a disciplinary matter dating back to 2014.
As a result of the matter, the PSL has been forced to revise the Absa Premiership standings as the effects of Fifa’s decision take effect.
Usuthu were taken to court by the South African Football Players’ Union after the unlawful termination of Namibian player Phinheas Nambandi’s contract.
Football’s governing body instructed the Durban-based side to pay Nambandi out for his damages, before the matter was taken on appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas).
However, AmaZulu were unsuccessful in their attempt to get the decision overturned and were given until 16 August 2018 by Fifa to fulfil their obligation to the player, which they failed to do.
The PSL has since issued a statement confirming the sanction for their defiance.
The statement reads as follows:
The Premier Soccer League executive committee yesterday, 27 September 2018, met AmaZulu FC to discuss the implications of the ruling from the Fifa Disciplinary Committee.
The Fifa disciplinary committee handed down a decision on 10 August 2018. The Fifa DC ruled:
1. Ordered AmaZulu to pay a fine of CHF 10,000. That sum was to be paid within 30 days of notification of the decision to a named Fifa account;
2. Granted AmaZulu a final deadline of 30 days to as from notification (i.e. as from 16 August 2018) to make payment of the sum contemplated in a Cas award referred to in the decision and proof of payment was to be provided to the South African Football Association;
3. Ordered that if payment was not made in accordance with (2. Above) then six points would automatically be deducted without any further formal decision;
4. Indicated that if after the deduction of these points, payment was still not made, the Fifa disciplinary committee would decide, upon the request of the creditor, on a possible relegation of AmaZulu’s first team to the next lower division.
The PSL executive committee communicated the automatic points deduction from AmaZulu FC.
Consequently, the league has compiled a revised Absa Premiership log standings. AmaZulu now have one point.
The Durban outfit now sit rock bottom of the log and will be desperate to pick up three points when they take on local rivals Maritzburg United on Tuesday evening with kick-off at 7pm.
Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
