Lawyer’s advice to clubs on disputes – ‘Respect contracts’

And recently, Davor Lazic was part of a seminar in Europe hoping to address issues around disputes in football.

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The theme was clear, that every stakeholder, especially clubs, should “respect contracts” as they are legally binding.

''You know, generally not only the clubs, I give the same advice to stakeholders - a club, player or coach or an association - you just need to respect your contracts. For example if you have a player who did not appear at training or at a football match - the clubs can terminate the contract without even playing the player. But in terms of proceedings - there are only five countries in Africa out of the 54 different associations that have established Dispute Resolution channels and one of those is South Africa,'' said Lazic.

Nurkovic was able to approach FIFA directly for his claim of R15-million not only because of his status as a foreigner, but because the PSL Dispute Resolution Chamber did not meet the international standards.

''Basically if it is not established according to right standards and you can go to FIFA to say there's no Dispute Resolution Chamber and in most cases it is because there is no independence. Seeing that there is a really critical need for establishing the impartial and effective National Dispute Resolution Chambers and that would provide more justice in relation to these issues,'' added Lazic.

In addressing the Royal AM matter recently, PSL chairman Irvin Khoza had indicated the league was in a process of refining its dispute channels.

Lazic says this is the best way forward.

''Basically, I think that is the right option to change some things, maybe even cheaper to have everything moved to the direction of Dispute Resolution Chambers,'' he expressed.

The attorney also insisted the case against Royal AM was simply to force the club to pay out a contract that was unlawfully terminated – it was nothing personal.