The Motsepe Foundation Championship League match between Black Leopards and Upington City, scheduled for Saturday at Thohoyandou Stadium, will not take place as planned. Lidoda Duvha had written to the league requesting a postponement of the fixture, which was granted.
According to Black Leopards president Mr David Thidiela, the request was influenced by a pending case between the club and the world football governing body, FIFA. Black Leopards were still awaiting a response from FIFA regarding a dispute lodged by a former player of All Stars FC, from whom Black Leopards had acquired their championship franchise.
FIFA had imposed a transfer ban on Black Leopards because of the dispute. The sanction means the club cannot register new players until they pay a fine or the matter is otherwise resolved. In an interview with Limpopo Mirror on Wednesday morning, Thidiela said they had been forced to request the postponement of their weekend fixture because they did not have the required minimum of five U/23 players in their squad because of the transfer ban.
Under Article 35.2 of the National Soccer League regulations, clubs participating in the National First Division must include a minimum of five players under 23, eligible to represent South Africa, in the team sheet for every match. At least two of these under-23 players must be on the field at all times during the match.
When asked why they had applied to postpone only one fixture, Thidiela said he was optimistic that their pending dispute with FIFA would be resolved soon.