Berea FC are celebrating after an arbitrator ruled in their favour in a dispute with Musina All Stars during a hearing on 2 July. The ruling brings to an end almost three months of boardroom battles over promotion, with the arbitrator ultimately declaring Berea FC the winners.
The dispute stems from a SAFA Vhembe league match played at Zwigodini in January. Musina All Stars alleged that the match against Berea FC had not been properly completed. Before kick-off, All Stars objected to the appointment of a cross-border referee. SAFA Vhembe subsequently appointed another referee to officiate the match, which Berea FC won 1-0.
Musina All Stars lodged their complaint in May, several months after the match had been played, despite league rules requiring protests to be submitted within seven days of the fixture.
The matter was referred to the SAFA Vhembe Disciplinary Committee, which ruled that the match should be replayed.
The decision did not sit well with Berea FC, who appealed the ruling. Their initial appeal was dismissed on procedural grounds after it was found that the correct channels had not been followed.
Berea FC then submitted a fresh appeal to SAFA Limpopo, where the Appeals Board ruled in their favour. Musina All Stars subsequently referred the matter to arbitration.
The arbitrator upheld the Appeals Board's decision, dismissed the case and ordered Musina All Stars to pay the costs of both the appeal and arbitration proceedings. In terms of the league's rules and regulations, the arbitrator's decision is final and binding on both parties.
Reacting to the outcome, Berea FC manager Mr Dakalo Ratshitanga expressed his satisfaction with the ruling.
"We are happy that justice has prevailed. We are now ready to participate in the SAFA Vhembe promotional play-offs against the winners from the other streams," he said.
Meanwhile, the SAFA Vhembe promotional play-offs, which had been scheduled to take place last weekend at Tshifulanani and Makhuvha stadiums, were postponed because of unresolved disciplinary and arbitration matters.
The matches were due to be played on Saturday and Sunday but could not proceed because several cases had not yet been finalised.
Another dispute involving Mukondeni Royal and Mashamba Soccer Academy was concluded on 2 July after Mashamba Soccer Academy successfully appealed the outcome of a disciplinary hearing, securing its place in the promotional play-offs.
However, Mukondeni Royal has referred the matter to arbitration. The hearing was scheduled for 8 July, and its outcome could result in another postponement of the promotional play-offs. At the time of going to press, the outcome was not known.