‘It’s sickening’ - Pirates boss Irvin Khoza slams shortcut-seeking clubs

PSL chairman Irvin Khoza has hit out at a number of clubs in the country over what he terms unbecoming behaviour of trying to take shortcuts to get their way.

Khoza has been left unimpressed by the increasing litigations by clubs who are not ready to follow rules, a case in point being the current appeal of Cape Town Spurs, who have contested the rule that rendered their players free agents, when they were relegated from the National First Division to the third tier.

Another case was when Cape Town City, relegated from the PSL last season, wanted to have Marumo Gallants relegated for fielding an ineligible player last season but while PSL DC found them guilty, they were fined R200,000 with half of it suspended, but the Citizens are still challenging that ruling.

These are some of the issues that have left Khoza furious as he feels clubs have the rules in their possession but refuse to follow them when they land in trouble and opt to cut corners.

Khoza hits out at ‘sickening’ behaviour

“People want shortcuts and that’s dangerous,” Khoza told iDiski Times.

“It’s sickening that every time the season ends, there are some skeletons coming out of the closet. But it will always happen because there are people who are creative. Look at how many appeals are done on the same matter.

“It starts with one club, Leruma, and then the same documents are used by Cape Town Spurs and then, Cape Town City. So, we need to really check what is really happening there. The sad thing is that it is people who are new in the game. It’s heart-breaking.”

Khoza wonders why there are so many cases and clubs willing to stretch the litigation process yet there are inductions every season to keep them abreast with the rules.

What has annoyed the Pirates boss?

“That’s why we have inductions. We have a 610-page induction document that everyone gets. That’s why we put measures in place,” added the Orlando Pirates boss.

“Football is a calling. You get money if there’s money being injected from sponsorships. But people come in thinking they’ll make money without understanding the sacrifices involved. We are all fans, and sometimes people buy in as fans without really understanding the industry.”

So far, Spurs have lost their case on Asanele Velebayi, who was declared a free agent and signed by Kaizer Chiefs on a free transfer the following day, but they lodged an appeal which has stopped Amakhosi from registering and playing the winger.