Johnson vs Stars heats up

A NASTY arbitration battle is looming between Platinum Stars and Cavin Johnson due to the club's refusal to let go of their coach.

The club finally broke their silence on the matter, making clear their intention to keep Johnson as head coach despite the coach submitting his resignation a month ago.

Johnson, who has been linked with the vacant position at SuperSport United, cited family reasons for the decision, which came as a shock after he led unfancied Stars to a second place finish in the league last season.

The coach handed in company equipment, which included a car, laptop and cellphone, after he prepared the team's pre-season programme and recommended a replacement .

But the club's hardline stance is likely to reduce the prospects of a favourable outcome to the impasse, which has left Johnson's future hanging in the balance.

"Mr Johnson has performed admirably while at the club. He has a contract with the club, and Platinum Stars have no intention of terminating the relationship," the club said in a statement yesterday.

"Platinum Stars has every intention of commencing the coming football season with Mr Johnson as the head coach of the first team and we hope that the club's right to enforce its contracts will be respected by Mr Johnson and all other stakeholders and participants in the game."

Stars are prepared to take the matter to arbitration if need be.

The club is said to have demanded a settlement figure of R800000 for the coach's departure, but Johnson - who has two years left on his three-year contract - has offered R500000.