Kaizer Chiefs are in a tricky situation. The Betway Premiership giants have agreed terms to sign Cape Town Spurs duo Asanele Velebayi and Luke Baartman, but a legal battle is hanging over the deals.
Subsequently, the 22-year-old winger Velebayi and the 18-year-old attacking midfielder Baartman did not report for pre-season training with Spurs.
The Cape club, known as the Urban Warriors, suffered relegation from the Motsepe Foundation Championship to the ABC Motsepe League. According to the Premier Soccer League rulebook, the relegation to the amateur league makes the duo free agents to join any clubs of their choice.
NO ASANELE VELEBAYI AND LUKE BAARTMAN AT CAPE TOWN SPURS
Asanele Velebayi playing for Cape Town Spurs at the Athlone Stadium. Image: IOL
According to SABC Sport, the Spurs have sent letters to the players asking them to return to training. The Urban Warriors claim the duo is still contracted with the club. Another Spurs player, Liam Bern, a 23-year-old midfielder, is also part of the brewing legal battle after his proposed move to AmaZulu FC.
“Cape Town Spurs have threatened to throw the book at three players linked with moves to Kaizer Chiefs and AmaZulu if they do not report back to training at Ikamva in the coming days,” Mazola Molefe reported.
“Efstathiou added that Spurs would proceed with disciplinary action if the trio continued to abscond. The Urban Warriors are adamant they will honour their end of the existing contract but are also open to negotiating a transfer for a fee that meets the valuation of their players.
“The public broadcaster understands all three players have been advised to send termination letters requesting their clearances as free agents citing that Spurs are no longer a member of the Premier Soccer League as a professional entity,” Molefe concluded.
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