PSL prosecutor Zola Majavu has confirmed the outcome of the DC case involving Chippa United, after the Gqeberha-based club fielded an ineligible player in a DStv Diski Challenge game.
Majavu confirmed that the club and Riedwaan Cerfonteyn, the player in question, were found guilty, after Cerfonteyn played in a match against Orlando Pirates, despite being suspended.
Chippa and Cerfonteyn were found guilty, and the the match against Pirates, originally won 3-2 by Chippa, was awarded to the opponents with a 3-0 scoreline. Cerfonteyn is also suspended for two games.
“Both Chippa and Mr Cerfonteyn were charged, facing the contravention of him being fielded by his club Chippa United when he had been a recipient of four consecutive cautions, and in the result, he ought to have sat out the next subceding match, which he did not,” Majavu said.
“He was utilised, fielded in a match against Orlando Pirates. Both respondents Chippa United and Mr Cerfonteyn, pleaded guilty as charged and they were duly convicted by the PSL DC. Straight thereafter, both the prosecutor as well as the representatives of the respondents were afforded an opportunity to make submissions with regard to sanction.
“Orlando Pirates as an interested party also sought an opportunity to make submissions before the DC. However, the DC took note of their submissions, but indicated that they would not be taken into account for purposes of sanction. As ordinarily, the submissions in misconduct cases are made by the prosecutor on behalf of the League.
“Having listened to the submissions made by both the prosecutor and the respondents’ representatives, the PSL DC decided on the following sanction, which is not necessarily in line with the submissions made by either the prosecutor and the representatives of the respondents, and in fact, the DC is perfectly entitled to make its own independent sanction regardless of what either of the parties proposes.
“The sanction was as follows: One, Chippa United was ordered to forfeit the match on a scoreline of 3-0. Two, Mr Cerfonteyn was sanctioned with a two match ban to count from the date of the ruling. Three, Chippa United was also fined an amount of R25,000, which is wholly suspended for a period of 12 months on condition that during the period of suspension, they are not found guilty of the same offence.
“They were also added to pay the costs of the seating.”
