Thanda decision on the way

WHILE the big match against Orlando Pirates on 23 February is keenly awaited, there is a second major date for Thanda Royal Zulu FC that week – one that may have implications far beyond the Nedbank Cup game.

The world’s highest sports dispute resolution body, the Lucerne-based International Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) will, on 21 February, announce its findings on the club’s dispute with the SA Football Association (SAFA).

This after Thanda failed in their arbitration appeal against the Premier Soccer League last year, when they completed the 2012/13 season having played three games fewer than other teams in the National First Division (NFD).

This forced Thanda into an unsuccessful play-off for promotion to the PSL.

It also resulted in Thanda losing their best players to other teams after the close of the season.

Thanda Chairman, Pierre Delvaux, did not let the matter rest there, and delivered a huge dossier to CAS, clearly giving the background to, and facts of, the NFD debacle.

At the time, Delvaux said he ‘owed it’ to the club, its supporters and sponsors to seek every legitimate avenue to obtain justice through this urgent application and to hold the PSL ultimately accountable for allowing the NFD season to end with clubs playing unequal games.

Thanda were this week advised by CAS that ‘the time limit to communicate the operative award to the parties has been extended to 21 February 2014’.

Should CAS decide in favour of Thanda, South African soccer, and specifically the NFD, could be thrown into even more disarray.

Allocating points for their three unplayed games would be meaningless, and the only logical compensation would be financial.

Such a decision would not only vindicate Thanda but could also mean that CAS takes action against SAFA and the PSL.

What is the Court of Arbitration for Sport?

THE Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) is an institution independent of any sports organisation which provides for services to facilitate the settlement of sports-related disputes through arbitration or mediation by means of procedural rules adapted to the specific needs of the sports world.

CAS was created in 1984 and is placed under the administrative and financial authority of the International Council of Arbitration for Sport (ICAS).

CAS has nearly 300 arbitrators from 87 countries, chosen for their specialist knowledge of arbitration and sports law.

Around 300 cases are registered by the CAS every year.

Both SAFA and FIFA are signatories to CAS and must abide by its decisions.