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Asanele Velebayi and Luke Baartman of Kaizer ChiefsBackpagepix
Kiplagat Sang

SAFA arbitrator makes ruling on Kaizer Chiefs' Asanele Velebayi and Luke Baartman after prolonged legal battle with Cape Town Spurs

The players have been engaged with their former club in a legal showdown over their contractual status, and this delayed their appearance for Amakhosi. The decision has now been made after the players and the Soweto giants had been kept waiting to know their fate.

  • Asanele Velebayi of Kaizer ChiefsKaizer Chiefs on Instagram

    Final blow for Spurs

    The South African Football Association (SAFA) arbitrator Hilton Epstein has dealt Cape Town Spurs a final blow after declaring Asanele Velebayi and Luke Baartman free agents.

    Cape Town Spurs had mounted a legal challenge trying to stop the players from leaving, but the arbitrator's judgment in favour of the team means the club has lost the fight.

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  • Asanele Velebayi, Etiosa Ighodaro and Luke Baartman, Kaizer ChiefsBackpage

    PSL DRC decision

    Velebayi and Baartman had previously been declared free agents by the Premier Soccer League Dispute Resolution Chamber. However, the club was keen to fight further and escalated the matter to the SAFA arbitration chamber, hoping to get a favourable rule.

    But again, they have lost, as the players have been declared as free agents, according to iDiski Times.

    According to the publication, an overall amount of R325 000 was paid to the arbitrator, with Spurs paying R125 000, while the agents of players paid R100 000 each.

  • Luke Baartman of Kaizer ChiefsKaizer Chiefs on X

    What does the SAFA arbitrator's decision mean?

    After PSL DRC had ruled in their favour, Kaizer Chiefs moved swiftly to conclude their signings.

    However, the players could not play for the Soweto giants given that their cases were far from over. But with the decision now made by the SAFA arbitrator, they can now play for the Glamour Boys.

  • Luke Baartman, Cape Town SpursBackpage

    Set for debuts now

    The way has now been paved for Velebayi and Baartman to make their highly anticipated debuts for Chiefs.

    This can now happen after the October international break, when club matches will resume. For Baartman, though, that can wait a little longer, as he is with Amajita in Chile for the U20 FIFA World Cup finals.