Jomo Cosmos has withdrawn their case against Hungry Lions which would have reinstated them back into the GladAfrica Championship and have been accused of falsifying documents.
Cosmos submitted a formal complaint to the Premier Soccer League earlier this month with club owner Jomo Sono confirming to this website that the Nothern Cape outfit would not have been able to provide the clearance for Tshepo Mohlala, who was on loan to the club from Kaizer Chiefs.
The Chiefs DDC player was alleged to have been contracted to Cosmos before his move to Amakhosi two seasons ago, but Ezenkosi were adamant he was not issued his clearance by the club of the South African Football Association (SAFA), thus making him ineligible to represent Lions.
However, on Sunday evening, iDiski Times were informed by a source within the club that they were confident of winning the case at the Premier Soccer League Disciplinary Committee, with allegations that Cosmos falsified the players’ card with images from social media – which has since been confirmed by SABC Sport.
“We also have evidence that shows that Jomo Cosmos have fabricated the supposed playing cards that they used, in an attempt to prove the allegations – from a picture on Facebook, which was taken last year, when he was 21 years old,” Lions attorney Karabo Tshabuse confirmed to journalist Mazola Molefe.
Amid the dramatic twist in the case, which seemingly looked likely to play in Cosmos’ favour, Tshabuse stated that a counter-complaint will be made as they look to ban the club from competing in South African football again.
PSL prosecutor advocate Zola Majavu has since provided an update after the hearing that took place in Johannesburg on Monday afternoon.
“In accordance with the rules of the league. I tabled the complaint before the PSL TC and for Jomo Cosmos to prosecute its complaint, before the commencement of the hearing, Jomo Cosmos elected to withdraw its complaint in totality,” Majavu confirmed in an official statement.
“The matter then served before the PSL DC for confirmation of that withdrawal of the complaint on record. I on behalf of the League accepted the withdrawal, and so did Hungry Lions as well as Mr Mohlala.
“The DC then ordered as follows. One; is that Jomo Cosmos forfeit the complaint fee in the amount of R30,000 excluding VAT. Two; Jomo Cosmos pay Hungry Lions and Mr. Mohlala an agreed monetary amount of R150,000 in respect of their out-of-pocket expenses pertaining to this matter.
“Three; that Jomo Cosmos issue a public apology within 24 hours of the ruling, told Mr. Mohlala and Hungry Lions, and further that neither Mr. Mohala, Hungro Lions nor Jomo Cosmos should be permitted to issue any further commentary on this matter.
“It was agreed that the leak and only the lake would issue a media release and oversee the public apology, which was done earlier today as well.
“Lastly, Jomo Cosmos was further directed to pay the costs of PSL DC, which costs would be administratively computed and on forward to two more cosmos for payment.
“After the hearing, I oversaw the public release which was done by Jomo Cosmos through their lawyer in the process of all affected parties and is satisfied that the matter has been successfully resolved.
” And beyond this, there will be no further commentary on the matter. I can further confirm that there will be no further legal challenges emanating from this matter as it has been definitively resolved. And on that basis, the league formally draws to an uncontroversial end.”
