PSL dismisses protests against Leopards

BLACK Leopards yesterday breathed a sigh of relief when the Premier Soccer League's disciplinary committee dismissed Jomo Cosmos and United FC's protests against the Venda club after claiming they had used an improperly registered player.

The hearing was held in Johannesburg on Monday night.

Cosmos and United protested that Edgar Manaka wasn't properly registered with Leopards when he featured in matches against them. PSL prosecutor Zola Majavu confirmed yesterday that the two cases against Leopards were dismissed because the two clubs did not comply with the rules dealing with protests.

Leopards general manager Sam Khaphathe said the dismissal of the protests had comforted them.

Khaphathe said: "We are happy that the matter has been resolved. We hope that even Edgar will be relieved and focus more on his work. We knew that we were innocent but unfortunately the case was dismissed before we could give our side of the story."

Manaka said he was happy that the matter had been finalised, adding: "I was impressed by the support that I got from the management during that bad period. To show their confidence in me they played me even after the protests."

Cosmos owner-coach Jomo Sono said they intended to appeal against the outcome of the case but United boss Amos Mahlamba said they wouldn't do so.

In another case, Platinum Stars winger Dillon Sheppard was found guilty of using abusive language against a match official in the match against Bloemfontein Celtic on February 19 and was fined R50000, wholly suspended for 12 months.