South African football has been plunged into yet another off-field controversy just days before the 2025/26 Betway Premiership season is due to kick off. At the heart of the latest crisis is a player registration debacle involving Marumo Gallants and midfielder Monde Mpambaniso, which could shake up relegation outcomes, MTN8 qualification, and even derail the league’s scheduled start.

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Arbitration Ruling Rescues Relegated Cape Town City

Cape Town City, relegated during the play-offs, have been handed an unexpected reprieve following a South African Football Association (SAFA) arbitration decision. The club challenged Gallants’ use of Mpambaniso, alleging he was fielded without a valid clearance certificate a direct violation of Rule 31.8.9.3 of the National Soccer League (NSL) Handbook.

Arbitrator Nazeer Cassim SC upheld City’s complaint, revealing that Mpambaniso had been used in 26 matches while improperly registered. If the ruling stands, Marumo Gallants face the deduction of points from every match the player participated in a penalty that would demote them from the Premiership. City would be reinstated in the top flight, and Kaizer Chiefs, who finished ninth, would slip into the MTN8 bracket.

Potential Fallout: A League in Disarray

The ramifications are enormous. A single administrative lapse now threatens to overhaul final standings, disrupt team preparations, and further delay the league’s resumption. It’s yet another instance of off-field incompetence overshadowing on-field performance.

This episode is far from an isolated case. In 2019, Mamelodi Sundowns faced a similar controversy when defender Wayne Arendse was fielded despite not being named in the matchday squad against Bidvest Wits. Although the act violated league rules, the club escaped with a suspended fine, and no points were docked. Wits, the opposing team, gained no advantage from the ruling, setting a worrying precedent.

PSL’s Oversight Under Scrutiny

Cassim’s remarks during the arbitration were particularly scathing, stating that “a little effort would have clarified these features of the registration form.” His comments pointed to not only negligence on the part of Gallants but also a systemic failure within the PSL’s governance and oversight structures.

The League’s own Dispute Resolution Chamber (DRC) had initially dismissed Cape Town City’s appeal a decision now overturned. The fact that SAFA had to step in to correct the error underlines a troubling lack of accountability within the PSL’s internal mechanisms.

League Credibility in Crisis

For years, the PSL has touted itself as Africa’s most professionally managed league. However, repeated administrative failures tell a different story. With every unresolved dispute, the league risks eroding the trust of its key stakeholders clubs, players, sponsors, and fans.

A swift and transparent disciplinary process is now critical. If Gallants are indeed guilty of fielding an ineligible player, the only fair outcome is the deduction of points and the reinstatement of teams affected by the violation. Any delay or leniency would only deepen concerns about selective enforcement and double standards.

Time for Accountability

The latest registration scandal reveals a deeper malaise within South African football governance. As the 2025/26 season hangs in the balance, the PSL must act decisively to restore integrity and order. Without urgent reform and stricter enforcement of league rules, the sport risks being repeatedly derailed by off-field chaos. South African football deserves more than perpetual controversy it needs leadership, transparency, and accountability. Until those are in place, the beautiful game will remain trapped in administrative dysfunction.

This latest controversy highlights the PSL’s ongoing governance failures, putting the league’s integrity and credibility at risk. Without urgent reform and decisive action, South African football will continue to suffer from off-field mismanagement that overshadows on-field performance.