More agony for Celtic and Wanderers

Bloemfontein Celtic managing director Petros Molemela was a dejected man on Friday after arbitrator Clive Cohen postponed judgment in the Premier Soccer League relegation case until next week.

After the third day in which attorneys for the PSL, Celtic and African Wanderers presented their arguments, Cohen said he needed more time to assess the evidence.

He also indicated that he needed to consider the PSL constitution and other matters in order to reach a fair and equitable judgement.

But a dissatisfied Molemela complained: "I think there is a conspiracy. I have reason to believe there is somebody in the PSL stirring up trouble for my club.

"There is simply no fairness in the whole thing. Why is it taking them so long to conclude such a simple case?

"When the arbitrator asked the PSL for the minutes of the meeting where a decision was taken to lodge an appeal against us, they couldn't furnish him with those minutes."

However, Molemela conceded that he will respect the arbitrator's eventual ruling, even though initially he felt like challenging the outcome in court if it went against him.

Celtic and Wanderers are challenging the PSL's right to relegate them.

Celtic want the arbitrator to endorse the decision of the PSL disciplinary committee which found the club guilty of fielding a suspended player against Bush Bucks and ordered a replay.

Wanderers argue that by failing to hold an annual general meeting for two years, the PSL Board of Governors transgressed their own constitution and therefore have no legal standing to relegate them.

Cohen has acknowledged that the constitution has not been followed, but says there are other pertinent issues to consider before he hands down judgment early next week.

He was apparently referring to the custom since the PSL was established in 1996 of relegating and promoting two clubs each season.