Spurs vow to fight Chiefs for Velebayi & Baartman compensation

Cape Town Spurs have acknowledged the arbitration award, paving the way for Luke Baartman and Asanele Velebayi to finally register for Kaizer Chiefs as they were declared free agents.

In a significant setback for the Urban Warriors, an arbitration ruling by Advocate Hilton Epstein SC has confirmed the duo’s status, effectively ending Spurs’ prolonged legal battle to hold onto their prized youth academy products.

The ruling follows a similar decision by the PSL Dispute Resolution Chamber (DRC), which Spurs had immediately appealed. That appeal had prevented the highly-rated attackers from officially registering and playing for the Soweto giants since their move in the last transfer window.

The Root of the CT Spus/Chiefs Dispute

The entire legal drama stemmed from Spurs’ relegation from the Motsepe Foundation Championship (second tier) to the ABC Motsepe League (third tier). Kaizer Chiefs successfully argued that the players’ contracts were no longer valid under the terms of the relegation, declaring them free agents. Chiefs snapped them up without paying a transfer fee.

While the arbitration decision means Baartman and Velebayi are now cleared to feature for Amakhosi, Cape Town Spurs have made it clear they are not abandoning the financial fight.

In their official statement, the club expressed their “disappointment with the outcome” but confirmed they “respect the arbitration process and will abide by the decision.”

The club’s focus has now shifted to legal action regarding the compensation due for their investment in the players’ development.

CEO Alexi Efstathiou underscored the club’s frustration, highlighting the issue of protecting youth development: “The potential precedent set by this award forces a moment of deep reflection on the sustainability of such models… The viability of our Academy and, indeed, the future strategic direction of Cape Town Spurs, hinges on… any compensation that may be due to the Club for the significant investment we have made in these players’ careers.”

Spurs’ legal team is now tasked with dissecting the ruling to determine the next steps in their push for a financial settlement from Chiefs.