Overview
- Advocate Hilton Epstein upheld a PSL DRC finding that Asanele Velebayi and Luke Baartman are free agents, enabling Kaizer Chiefs to complete their registrations.
- Cape Town Spurs said they accept the award but are disappointed and will review its implications with legal counsel, including potential compensation for development costs.
- Spurs CEO Alexi Efstathiou criticized Chiefs’ handling of talks, saying the club previously sought R10 million for Velebayi against a R4 million offer and that Chiefs have not engaged since.
- The award hinged on Spurs’ drop to the ABC Motsepe League, which was treated as the loss of professional status that undermined enforceability of the players’ contracts.
- Chiefs had unveiled both players in August; Velebayi is expected to travel for the October 18 CAF Confederation Cup fixture, while Baartman remains with South Africa’s U20 squad in Chile.