Cape Town Spurs prepared to pay R30 000 to fight new Kaizer Chiefs signing decision - ‘We still have the appeals to be heard’

On Tuesday, Kaizer Chiefs officially announced the signing of teenage sensation Luke Baartman after the PSL’s Dispute Resolution Chamber (DRC) approved his departure from Ikamva. 

Last season, Spurs were relegated from the National First Division, dropping out of the professional ranks. Despite their demotion to amateur status, the Western Cape club insist Baartman is still contracted to them, citing a legally binding agreement, and have since escalated the dispute to the South African Football Association. 

“Yes, that part is true [appealing to SAFA], we just have to wait for a date regarding the hearing,” Cape Town Spurs Chief Executive Officer, Alexi Efstathiou told Soccer Laduma. 

“They [Kaizer Chiefs] applied and the reason we defended is because we believe that Cape Town Spurs has a case. We still have the appeals to be heard, but we're not happy with the decision, but it is what it is, so we just plan on continuing to see where it takes us,” he concluded. 

The clubs are clashing on another front as well, this time over Asanele Velebayi, who earned his clearance through a separate DRC decision after Spurs’ demotion.

The ex-Spurs captain was unveiled by Amakhosi over a week ago. 

Whether the Cape side succeed in either appeal is still uncertain, but in the meantime both youngsters are available for selection under Nasreddine Nabi and his technical team.

Chiefs will be in Premier Soccer League action against defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns on Wednesday, 27 August.