Good news for PSL and Marumo Gallants as SAFA arbitrator makes ruling on Cape Town City's appeal amid Citizens' signing spree

Marumo Gallants can now breathe a sigh of relief after South African Football Association (SAFA) arbitrator Hilton Epstein dismissed Cape Town City's appeal. 

Cape Town City lodged a case against Gallants over the signing of Monde Mpambaniso, and although the latter were found guilty in that regard, they were only fined.

Cape Town City did not welcome that ruling and decided to seek justice with the SAFA arbitrator, where they have, again, failed to get a favourable outcome.   

"Cape Town City Football Club's referral of its claim to arbitration is dismissed. Cape Town City Football Club to pay the costs of the arbitrator," Epstein's ruling read.

"Cape Town City Football Club to pay the cost of the National Soccer League and Marumo Football Club on the High Court scale in accordance with scale C." 

After the PSL DC had just fined Gallants, Cape Town City FC CEO John Comitis vowed to escalate the matter further with an appeal to SAFA arbitration.

Comitis argued that the law was not fairly followed when Gallants were just fined R200,000, with half of that amount suspended for one year.

Comitis' decision to appeal had put the league's managing body in an awkward legal position. The swift ruling by SAFA means that the kickoff of the new season will not be affected, as it was feared before when Cape Town City took the appeal route. 

This is good news for both PSL and Gallants, who had their fingers crossed awaiting the outcome of the appeal. 

City have so far signed former Mamelodi Sundowns left-back Sifiso Ngobeni and ex-Dutch Eredivisie stars Simon van Duivenbooden and Mickey van der Hart.

The road has now been paved for the new season to begin without legal hurdles on its way.

Cape Town City can now focus on their life in the lower league, while Gallants prepare to begin their season with a clearer focus, given that the uncertainty over their PSL status has been resolved.