The Free State\u2019s ABC Motsepe League play-offs to decide this year\u2019s champion between Mangaung Unite FC and D\u2019 General FC which was in limbo is set to take place today \u2013 Thursday, 30 May. Safa as the football governing body confirmed the details and the Dr RP Molemela Stadium as the host venue for the provincial play-offs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Free State High Court on Thursday, 23 May, struck off the roll an urgent case filed by Bloemfontein Celtic FC, giving Safa the benefit of continuing with the play-offs and submitting a winner by Thursday, 30 May.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Celtic filed an emergency high court case seeking to overturn the arbitrator\u2019s decision to award D\u2019 General three points, while listing the following parties as the respondents: the South African Football Association (Safa) in the Free State (first respondent), Safa national management (second respondent), D\u2019 General (third respondent) and Dikgosi FC (fourth respondent). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The entire controversial episode started with D\u2019 General lodging a dispute against Dikgosi for failure to produce a smart card or identity document (IDs) for one of its players in their return league fixture, which ended in a one-all draw. The match in question was played on 9 March this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Botshabelo-based D\u2019 General took the dispute for arbitration because the club was aggrieved by the Safa provincial disciplinary hearing\u2019s verdict. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The appeal hearing was held on 29 April, with Safa\u2019s appeal board dismissing D\u2019 General\u2019s case and ruling that the appeal fee was to be forfeited to Safa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
D\u2019 General appealed to have the decision of the disciplinary hearing set aside and be awarded three match points, including three goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The effect of arbitration saw D\u2019 General ascend to the top of stream A and Celtic finish in second position. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, by virtue of the arbitrator\u2019s outcome, D\u2019 General will face Mangaung, the winner of stream B, to decide this year\u2019s Free State ABC Motsepe League champion. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Initially, Safa\u2019s provincial management had scheduled the match for 19 May. However, after Celtic had filed an urgent case, it was then cancelled, pending the Free State High Court\u2019s outcome. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The winner of the provincial play-offs automatically qualifies to compete for promotion at the national play-offs, which will culminate in two clubs being promoted to the second-tier professional league, the Motsepe Foundation Championship. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The Free State\u2019s ABC Motsepe League play-offs to decide this year\u2019s champion between Mangaung Unite FC and D\u2019 General FC is in limbo. Safa as the football governing body is yet to confirm further details, such as the date and venue, of the 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