Cape Town Spurs have dramatically dropped their High Court challenge against Durban City FC, ending a tense legal fight over promotion and relegation in South African football. However, the Urban Warriors refused to accept their relegation fate and are now attempting to secure a return to the Motsepe Foundation Championship by purchasing Pretoria Callies’ status.
Durban City secure promotion
Spurs had taken legal action after suffering a 1-0 defeat to Durban City in their final Motsepe Foundation Championship fixture. They played the match under protest, claiming that Durban City’s midfielder, Saziso Magawana, was improperly registered.
Despite Spurs’ objections, Durban City clinched automatic promotion to the Betway Premiership. The PSL delayed the trophy handover due to the ongoing legal dispute, but once the High Court ruled in favour of Durban City, they officially received the NFD trophy at the SuperSport TV studios over a week ago.
PSL and SAFA rule against Spurs
Before turning to the High Court, Spurs had already lost their case before the PSL’s Dispute Resolution Chamber, led by Raymond Hack. The chamber dismissed their appeal and ordered the Cape club to pay legal costs.
Still unsatisfied, Spurs escalated the issue to SAFA arbitration. However, multiple arbitrators stepped aside from the case, and senior counsel Hilton Epstein SC eventually ruled in favour of Durban City and Saziso Magawana.
Spurs hoped the outcome would see Durban City docked points, a decision that would have secured Spurs’ place in the Championship. But those hopes were crushed.
Spurs eye Callies in desperate bid to stay up
Following their failed legal efforts, Cape Town Spurs have now withdrawn their High Court case. But rather than accept a place in the ABC Motsepe League, the third tier of South African football. They are seeking an alternative route back into the NFD.
“They [Cape Town Spurs] are trying to buy the status of Callies. And you saw the post yesterday about a countdown on their page. Ya, they are definitely trying to get back into the NFD (Motsepe Foundation Championship),” a source revealed.
Pretoria Callies, who finished 11th and six points above Spurs, could now become the key to Spurs’ future in the first division.
Will Cape Town Spurs buy Pretoria Callies?
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