SAFA arbitrator rules in favour of Chiefs over Velebayi and Baartman dispute

Kaizer Chiefs have received a major boost after Safa arbitrator Hilton Epstein ruled that midfielder Asanele Velebayi and forward Luke Baartman are now eligible to represent their new club, following months of dispute over their move from Cape Town Spurs.

The duo joined Amakhosi as free agents after Spurs were relegated from the Motsepe Foundation Championship at the end of last season.

Following their drop to the ABC Motsepe League, Spurs’ entire squad was reclassified as amateur footballers. Chiefs moved swiftly to secure the signatures of the two promising youngsters, with Spurs facing the prospect of losing their prized assets without compensation.

Unwilling to accept that outcome, Spurs challenged the PSL dispute resolution chamber’s decision, which had declared both players free agents. The matter was taken to arbitration, where Epstein has now ruled in favour of Chiefs.

The pair have yet to feature for Amakhosi this season, with the club waiting patiently for the legal process to conclude. Given Chiefs’ recent struggles, the ruling comes as a timely boost, providing co-coaches Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef with additional options at minimal cost for the club.

Baartman is currently on international duty with the South African Under-20 team at the Fifa Under-20 World Cup in Chile, where they have managed to win two of their three group-stage matches, including a 2-1 victory over the United States of America.

The 19-year-old has featured off the bench in all three of Amajita’s group-stage matches, helping them progress to the last 16, where they face Colombia tonight at the Estadio Fiscal de Talca (kick-off 9.30pm).