Marumo Gallants fined R200,000; No points deduction

The Premier Soccer League (PSL) Disciplinary Committee (DC) has handed down a R200,000 fine to Marumo Gallants for fielding an ineligible player, Monde Mphambaniso, during the 2024/25 season. Crucially, the club will not face any points deduction, meaning their league standing remains unaffected.

The case was reopened after a SAFA arbitration ruled in favour of relegated club Cape Town City FC, who had initially raised concerns about Mphambaniso’s improper registration.

PSL prosecutor Zola Majavu confirmed the DC’s decision on Thursday night, stating, “I can confirm that a short while ago, the PSL DC just finalised a disciplinary matter in which I had preferred charges of misconduct against Marumo Gallants Football Club as well as its player, Mr Monde Mphambaniso.”

Majavu elaborated that the charges stemmed from Gallants registering Mphambaniso “without the required clearance certificate in accordance with the rules of the league.” Marumo Gallants pleaded guilty to the offence.

“Mindful of the circumstances, the context and the background against which this player was registered, Marumo Gallants pleaded guilty, and as a result, were subsequently convicted as such,” added Majavu.

“Coming to the issue of sanction, having listened to the evidence in aggravation as well as the evidence in mitigation and the prevailing contextual background pertaining to this matter, which I must hasten to add that was subjected to a variety of disciplinary proceedings, served before various appeal tribunals, including a recent arbitration which resulted in a directive by the arbitrator that they be charged.”

Of the R200,000 fine, 50% (R100,000) is immediately payable, while the remaining R100,000 is suspended for 24 months. This suspended portion will only be enacted if Marumo Gallants are found guilty of a similar offence within that two-year period. The club has also been ordered to cover the costs of the DC hearing.

In addition, Mphambaniso, the player involved, was found not guilty of any wrongdoing and will not face a sanction.

“With regard to the player. The player was found not guilty, and as a result, no sanction was meted out to him. This is the end of this matter for now, unless a party that is aggrieved by this outcome exercises its right to appeal, in which case we will deal with that matter when it arises, ” added Majavu.