Mthatha, Eastern Cape – The Mthatha High Court has ruled in favour of Sinenkani FC in a critical case against the South African Football Association (SAFA), declaring previous decisions by both SAFA Eastern Cape and SAFA National as invalid, unlawful, and unconstitutional.
The judgment, delivered by Judge L. Rusi on 9 April 2025, found that SAFA violated its own Competition Uniform Rules and Section 33(1) of the South African Constitution when it dismissed Sinenkani FC’s complaint relating to a conflict of interest involving a match commissioner.
The dispute stems from a match played on 25 January 2025 between Sinenkani FC and FC Ravens, where the match commissioner allegedly had a direct relationship with one of the players on the field. Sinenkani FC lodged a formal complaint under Rule 30.1, but both regional and national SAFA bodies dismissed it without conducting an investigation.
In its decision, the court:
- Set aside the February and March 2025 decisions of the fourth and fifth respondents (SAFA structures)
- Ordered SAFA to properly investigate and adjudicate the original complaint
- Interdicted the scheduled match between the sixth and seventh respondents (set for 11 April 2025) pending the outcome of the investigation
- Ordered that SAFA pay the full legal costs, including for two counsel
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In a statement released after the ruling, Sinenkani FC welcomed the outcome, stating:
“The court has ruled in our favour and proven that we were correct. SAFA’s failure to investigate our complaint was unlawful. Victory is certain.”
The club emphasized that it remains committed to fair play and transparency in South African football. With the matter now referred back to SAFA for proper investigation, attention turns to how the association will respond and ensure compliance with both its own rules and the court’s directive.
