Why some clubs make the PSL a ticking time bomb

Speaking to SABC Sport last night, SAPFU General Secretary Nhlanhla Shabalala was commenting just hours after the Premier Soccer League (PSL) announced via a statement that Swallows had notified them that they won’t be able to honour their DStv Premiership fixtures against Mamelodi Sundowns (yesterday) and Golden Arrows (on Saturday). 

Shabalala says these kinds of acts are a threat to the health of football in this country.

READ: SAFPU with full details of what led to the latest dispute between Moroka Swallows players and management

"What has happened at this level it seeks to erode the gains that we have made in football. Being one of the best leading brands in relation to professional football globally. I mean these are things that surely don't take us forward if anything and they must be avoided at all costs,” Shabalala said.

“As much as this is a painful lesson but I think it's a lesson that we must learn that these players once they say enough is enough and they take a stand, it means just that. Banyana Banyana demonstrated the same thing, Swallows is doing the same thing and even before this, there was a time where Bloemfontein Celtics would have been moving to this particular direction and we intervened to try and assist the chairman and the players to ensure that the brand of football is safe but also the players are honoured.

“This shows you that this is a time ticking bomb in South African football because I can guarantee you that if this act keeps happening, if this lack of respect for players contracts keep happening we might find ourselves with more similar situations and that's exactly what we cautioned the clubs to move away from because that's not going to do us any good. We want to save football."

Three PSL clubs (Chippa United, Royal AM, and Polokwane City) are currently serving FIFA transfer bans and are not allowed to sign players, until they have settled their respective cases with the players they owe.

Just this season alone, Shabalala rightfully says it is not only Swallows that has found itself with the challenge of paying salaries and signing on fees of players.

He reveals that Royal AM, a few months ago was in a similar situation but handled the matter better.

"It is not a secret that Swallows would have been experiencing financial difficulties and we know that can happen and we welcome that but the approach to that. I mean similar to Royal AM, I think two or three months back they had challenges. There were late payments on the players but what we then spoke of and said it's well done,” Shabalala explained.

“It's because they convened the players and explained the problems and made a promise to say we will resolve this matter on such and such a date, we will ensure that we would have sorted all of that and all of that was done and the players were paid at that particular point in time. So, with the consultation, with the openness, with the honesty, players are understanding."

Rule 9.7 in the NSL Handbook, stipulates that a Member Club seeking approval for a fixture change must submit a written request for that fixture change to the league at least 10 days. before the match in question. The League has the discretion to grant or refuse the request. Two walkovers in the PSL could also lead to expulsion from the league.