We always knew we were innocent, says Durban City chairman Farook Kadodia

After weeks of legal wrangling and off-field drama, Durban City can finally breathe a sigh of relief — and start dreaming big. Cleared of all wrongdoing in a high-stakes player registration dispute, the newly crowned Motsepe Foundation Championship (MFC) winners are now set to take their place in South Africa’s top flight for the 2025/26 season.

City were officially found not guilty regarding the eligibility of one of their players on Tuesday after they were twice forced to defend themselves in disciplinary proceedings.

JDR Stars lodged a protest in May, claiming that Saziso Magawana, who had joined from Marumo Gallants, had been improperly registered when he moved to the club. The PSL’s Disciplinary Committee investigated the matter and dismissed the complaint.

Stars exercised their right to appeal, this time joined by relegation-threatened Cape Town Spurs, but this past week their appeal was also dismissed by Safa arbitration. City were finally awarded the MFC title and secured their place in the Betway Premiership next season.

As a result of the failed protest, both JDR Stars and the Cape side were ordered to cover all the expenses arising from their actions against City and the player involved.

Following the final ruling, City chairman Farook Kadodia expressed his satisfaction with the outcome.

“The outcome of the arbitration was what we expected,” Kadodia told Independent Newspapers on Wednesday.

“We were basically embarrassed in relation to the arbitration and dispute resolution chamber, even though we had already won our initial case with the PSL. The matter went to arbitration, and the outcome was very clear.”

Kadodia added that, despite the team’s efforts throughout the season, they were denied the chance to enjoy the celebrations they had earned.

“It was really disappointing that the players weren’t able to celebrate with the trophy and be officially recognised as champions on the pitch,” he said.

“I haven’t spoken to anyone from the PSL yet — my only communication has been with Safa. I’m still not sure whether there will be any formal trophy celebrations.”

“You put in so much work all season long, and when you finally achieve something meaningful, you want to enjoy it. Then you go home. Some players are still around because they were waiting for the result of the case.”

The chairman also emphasised that the verdict came as no surprise to the club, as they had always maintained their innocence and followed the correct procedures.

“We are just jubilant with the way things turned out. Whoever the perpetrators were regarding these cases, we always believed there was no case — the player and the club were innocent because we followed due process correctly.”

“We’ll sit down next week and map out our future. We have to be competitive and prepare a team that will challenge and symbolise a side in the PSL.”

Spurs have now officially been relegated for a second consecutive season, having dropped out of the Betway Premiership just last year.

The ruling also clears the path for the PSL relegation/promotion play-offs to continue. Cape Town City — the PSL side that finished in 15th — now face a tense period as they prepare to take on Orbit College, who ended the season just five points behind champions Durban City, and third-placed Casric Stars.

These three teams will contest the play-offs for a single place in next season’s top flight.