Celtic, Wanderers could know fate tomorrow
The 2001/2002 Castle League championship may have kicked off with four matches on Wednesday, but the legal wrangling at Arbitration House in Sandton has cast a wintery gloom around the beautiful game.
Arbitrator Clive Cohen is expected to rule on the Premier Soccer League's (PSL) relegation case on Friday morning, a day after listening to Bloemfontein Celtic's and African Wanderers' arguments.
Celtic and Wanderers were relegated from the Premiership after finishing at the bottom of the league table last season.
Celtic found themselves in that position after they were docked three points for fielding a suspended player in their league match against Bush Bucks.
The PSL disciplinary committee initially ruled that, although found guilty, Celtic be fined R75 000 and the match be replayed.
The PSL objected to the verdict and successfully filed for an appeal with the South African Football Association appeal board. Celtic have since then been fighting a legal battle to have the initial ruling reinstated.
Wanderers, on the other hand, are arguing that in spite of finishing bottom of the league table last season and were supposed to be relegated, the PSL had no legal standing to demote the club as the league had been found to have been operating illegally for the past two years.
The PSL legal team, led by Alex Abercrombie, also presented their evidence to Cohen on Wednesday, arguing why they believe Celtic and Wanderers should be relegated.
However, it seemed as if Celtic could be heading for a fall after Cohen indicated that he may not be able to arbitrate on the Celtic matter after all.
Cohen pointed out, however, that this was his prima facie view as he still has to look into the matter thoroughly and would, when the opportunity comes, give his verdict.
Shortly before Cohen postponed proceedings, PSL chief executive Robin Petersen took the stand where he was cross examined by Wanderers attorney Themba Langa.
Langa is expected to conclude his cross examination on Thursday.