SAFA recently released a vague statement putting on record their dissatisfaction with Judge Mkosi's ruling, and offered no response when contacted by snl24.com/kickoff for an explanation.
Now SASFA has issued the following statement following their court victory.
'Today at about 11h00 at the Johannesburg High Court, Judge Nkosi delivered his ruling in the long-awaited matter between the South African Schools Football Association and South African Football Association. In the main the court ordered as follows:
'That the Court has jurisdiction to hear the application brought by SASFA. That the SAFA/SASFA matter should be referred to private arbitration in terms of article 70.4 of SAFA’ Statute.
'An independent arbitrator agreed to by both parties should be appointed to hear the dispute;
'If the parties fail to agree on a common arbitrator the JOHANNESBURG BAR COUNCIL should be authorised to appoint an arbitrator to hear the dispute within 10 days. Essentially saying SAFA can’t act as a referee and a player in this matter. Further that, Resolution No.29 taken by the Respondents’ Congress on 29 March 2015 be declared unlawful and of no force and effect and be set aside.
'In simple terms, SASFA is still in charge of schools football in this country at all levels. Under these circumstances, any interference from SAFA will be a contempt of Court.
'SASFA welcomes the verdict on this matter and calls upon all role players within the football space to respect the court order.
'“This is a victory for the children of this country, once again this is proof that South Africa is indeed a Constitutional Democracy and Rule of Law is supreme” said Mr Mandla ‘Shoes’ Mazibuko President of the SASFA.
'“We said from the onset that there was nothing fair, just, legal, democratic and sporting about the manner in which the National Federation handled this matter. However, we are willing to work together with the mother body as we always did for the past 15 years.
'MOU signed between the Honourable Ministers of Sport Recreation and Basic Education regarding the running and coordination of schools sport in South Africa is explicit on the roles of Federations and Codes, critical and pertinent for now, is to point out the role of the Federations, to give technical support to the schools sport committees as it is the case with all the 16 active codes and their Federations within the country. Therefore, the confusion was just unfortunate, added Mazibuko.
'SASFA promises the parents, educators, learners with all other key stakeholders and the Ministries of Sports Recreation and Basic Education that, the association will do all within its powers to ensure that the contentious issues are resolved amicably. There is no winner or loser in this matter, but football and learners are. The time and financial resources spent on this matter could have been better utilised in the development of football.'