GIFT NDOLWANE
JOHANNESBURG -PSL debutants, Highlands Park and Baroka FC who piped each other by a single point for a sole ticket to top flight football are set to take their rivalry to another level as there seems to be a squabble looming over the ownership for promising midfielder/winger Richard Matloga.
This is after Highlands Park, unveiled their twelve new signings with Matloga as part of the team’s Coach Allan Freese’s final line-up for the 2016/17 season. In the seemingly apparent case of double dealing, Highlands Park Director Sinky Mnisi declared in no uncertain terms that the 25 year old player belongs to the Lions of the North.
“The player belongs to us, and the issue is with PSL Disciplinary Resolutions Committee,” addsMnisi.
But, in response to Mnisi’s assertions, Baroka FC CEO Morgan Mammilla dismisses them, describing them as laughable.
“If Highlands Park unveiled him as their player then where was he during the team‘s new unveiling, ” says Mammila adding that the player signed a three year contract with the team after he expressed his desire to play for Bakgakga.
“Richard and his agent approached us claiming his Highlands Park contract expired in June 2016 hence this deal ” adds Mammila.
Should the player himself, who is currently pre-season training with Baroka, be found to be guilty of flouting PSL by signing two different contracts, he risks a up to six month suspension.
Bakgakga on the other hand risk losing points if the player is deemed illegible and Highlands Park launch a legitimate case as seen last in the rivalry between Jomo Cosmos and Maritzburg.
Should the dispute intensifies continue Matloga might find himself fighting a lone battle as Baroka alludes this battle is not about the two teams.
“He will have to fight for himself,” says Mammila.
Matloga is not the only player in the PSL to have made the headlines for signing dual contracts Last year Platinum Stars, defender Siyabonga Zulu was charged with contravening Rule 37 of the NSL after he also signed two contracts with Orlando Pirates and Platinum Stars. Orlando Pirates then disputed Zulu’s move to Platinum Stars claiming they had an option on the player’s contract .
Another player, who found themselves in the same situation was Chilli Boys’s Veli Mothwa, who was found guilty of contravening Rule 37 of the NSL after he allegedly signed two contracts with both Polokwane City and Chippa United for the same period. He was sentenced to a fine of R20 000.
In 2014 Mothwa was fined R50 000 (R25 000 which was later decreased) in 2014 for a similar case when he moved to Chippa from Baroka FC
– CAJ News
