Tensions are running high in South African football as the PSL faces mounting pressure to resolve the abandoned clash between SuperSport United and Lamontville Golden Arrows — a fixture whose outcome could determine relegation for three top-flight clubs.
With the league campaign nearing its dramatic conclusion, concerns around transparency, governance, and potential conflicts of interest have come to the fore, as the PSL’s legal machinery works behind closed doors to reach a verdict that could reshape the bottom of the table.
Earlier this week, Cape Town City FC chairman John Comitis expressed outrage over the league’s delay in resolving the matter — a decision that could directly impact his club’s survival, who are currently occupy 15th spot in the league table. Should they remain in that position, the Citizens will be forced to play in the PSL promotion/relegation play-offs, starting next week.
Comitis’ frustration centres on the perceived impartiality of PSL acting CEO Mato Madlala, who also owns and chairs Arrows.
“I can’t send a letter to the CEO of the PSL because she has a conflict of interest,” Comitis said, at the time.
“I can’t even pick up the phone and call her to ask what is happening. I am extremely perturbed by how the League and the executive have left the matter of the Arrows versus SuperSport United game unresolved, despite it being addressed at the Disciplinary Committee (DC).”
On Monday, Madlala referred Independent Media‘s enquiries regarding the ongoing saga to Michael Murphy, the PSL’s head of legal.
The delay in resolving the match has stirred growing interest within the local football fraternity, eager to understand the processes behind such decisions. In response to Independent Media‘s questions about the fixture’s status, Murphy explained the procedural complexities involved.
He stressed that any ruling requires a thorough and methodical approach before a final outcome can be announced.
“I have no idea if the time taken here is ‘undue’,” said Murphy, regarding the case, which remains unresolved since February, “as that would depend on the stance taken by the parties, whether they sought postponements, how much evidence and argument there was, etc.
“Just as in any case that comes before a court or tribunal, there may be many reasons why a particular case takes time.
“Timing is always important in sport — in all sports — and in the main, cases in or concerning professional football are dealt with expeditiously.”
The involvement of club officials in PSL leadership roles has raised concerns among supporters, many of whom feel that the league lacks the necessary separation between governance and club interests.
“It is too easy for many to simply shout ‘boardroom decision’ and blame their latest favourite target, rather than doing the work to understand how it works,” Murphy added.
“The PSL prosecutor, Zola Majavu, is independent, as is the DC. If you look at the NSL Handbook (it is published on the League website at www.psl.co.za), you will see it clearly outlined there in terms of jurisdiction, make-up, and rules.
“Not a word of that is not applied in practice regarding independence, and the continual commentary about the DC (or other panels) being influenced — or influenceable — by the PSL is tired and lazy.
“It does not inform South Africans about the reality of dispute resolution in professional football, nor about the work that has gone into making it what it is.”
Three points on the road, and focus shifts to next Saturday ✅
A 𝒃𝒊𝒈 week lies ahead #iamCityFC pic.twitter.com/XJgCRpMjBT
— Cape Town City FC (@CapeTownCityFC) May 18, 2025
As the situation unfolds, all eyes remain on the PSL and their ability to manage the legal and ethical complexities of the abandoned fixture. The final decision will not only affect the immediate fate of the clubs involved but could also set a precedent for how similar disputes are handled in future.
With the curtain about to fall on this season’s Premiership campaign on Saturday, a palpable tension grips SuperSport United, Golden Arrows, and Cape Town City — three clubs nervously facing the looming threat of relegation play-offs.
