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PSL approaches CAS over Zifa dispute

Sport
The Premier Soccer League has approached the Court of Abitration for Sport (CAS) to intervene and help resolve its dispute with the country’s supreme football body Zifa.

The Premier Soccer League has approached the Court of Abitration for Sport (CAS) to intervene and help resolve its dispute with the country’s supreme football body Zifa.

by Kevin Mapasure

PSL lawyers yesterday wrote to Zifa advising them that their client had sought arbitration by CAS.

The letter read: “We write to advise that we have been instructed by our client and have filed a request for arbitration with the Court of Arbitration for Sport. We have requested CAS to arbitrate in the dispute between the parties and you will be receiving communication from CAS anytime from now.”

The two parties have been haggling over the issue of relegation and promotion between the topflight league and the four Division One leagues.

The PSL wants a July 2015 resolution to have two teams demoted, while the same number would be promoted from the second-tier leagues, to be binding.

Zifa, on the other hand, has directed that four teams be promoted from Division One, with the same number being demoted from the PSL.

The PSL alleges that Zifa employed various tactics that include going into a deal with a broadcaster from South Africa that is a direct competitor with the top-flight league’s partner SuperSport in order to scupper the playoffs.

The PSL also points out that Zifa president, Philip Chiyangwa, who was elected in a “compromised election”, had embarked on a purge against those that did not vote for him.

It is also alleged that Chiyangwa has centralised all administrative authority. He has run Zifa as a personal asset, it is also suggested in the PSL affidavit.

Chiyangwa is also accused of angling towards the dissolution of PSL.

Relief sought by the PSL includes: “A declaration that the Zifa rescission resolution of October 28, 2016 is null and void. A declaration that the play-offs resolution of October 25, 2015 is extant and binding on the PSL and Zifa. A declaration that the PSL is an affiliate of Zifa, which is independent and autonomous save to the extent provided for in the constitution of Zifa and PSL. That Zifa be barred and interdicted from purporting to suspend, dismiss or ban any of the claimants or their officials on allegations connected to or arising from the facts the subject of this arbitration.”

Zifa has suspended some of the PSL club administrators that include Caps United board chairperson Lewis Uriri, who is one of the legal representatives for the PSL in this matter, Highlanders chairperson, Peter Dube, who is also PSL boss, as well as Bosso chief executive officer, Ndumiso Gumede.