The SAFA Arbitrator Hilton Epstein has ruled in favour of Asanele Velebayi and Luke Baartman, declaring them free agents, meaning they can now officially be used by Kaizer Chiefs.
The PSL DRC had ruled in favour of Baartman and Velebayi, declaring them free agents after Spurs got relegated to the SAFA ABC Motsepe League, but the Urban Warriors appealed both PSL DRC rulings.
Spurs had challenged the DRC’s interpretations of league rules and were seeking enforcement of the existing employment agreements.
However, SAFA arbitrator Epstein has now also ruled in favour of the players, literally ending the dispute between the Chiefs duo and their former club, iDiski Times has learnt.
Sources informed this publication that an overall amount of R325, 000 was paid to the arbitrator, with Spurs paying R125 000, while the agents of the players paid R100, 000 each.
Both Velebayi and Baartman had joined Chiefs after the initial PSL DRC ruling, but were not allowed to play for the club while the appeal process was ongoing.
They already trained with Amakhosi, though, and can now make their debut after the international break. Baartman, though, is currently in Chile with Amajita at the U20 FIFA World Cup.
Story by Sinethemba Makonco (@Makonco_M).
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