DStv Premiership club Moroka Swallows could be in trouble with the Premier Soccer League (PSL) after they cancelled their clash with Mamelodi Sundowns and Golden Arrows.
The match was scheduled for Wednesday evening at 19:30 at the Loftus Versfield in Pretoria.
The PSL issued a statement announcing that Swallows have notified the league that it will not be able to honour their fixture against Sundowns on Wednesday.
“The Premier Soccer League has been officially notified today that Moroka Swallows Football Club is unable to fulfil its scheduled DStv Premiership fixtures against Mamelodi Sundowns on 27 December 2023, and Lamontville Golden Arrows on 30 December 2023.
“The League extends its sincere apologies to all stakeholders, including clubs, partners, media, and spectators, for this unfortunate situation,” read a statement from the PSL.
The Dube Birds, as Swallows is affectionately known, issued an apology regarding the cancellation attributing it to pay dispute.
“Due to an unresolved dispute between players and management, that has resulted in management having to request cancellation of the two remaining games of this year from the PSL, to allow it time to correct the situation.
“Management would like to assure everyone within and outside the club that the process of finding one another will soon be found,” said a club in their brief statement.
This is not the first time there’s been a standoff at the Dobsonville-based club.
Earlier this month, the players went on a 10-day strike refusing to train due to a pay dispute too.
The club’s coach, Steve Komphela, was quoted saying some players would arrive at the club’s ground, but refused to train until they received their salaries.
“You’ll be surprised and shocked that ten days guys haven’t been training. I have to do my job as a professional. I had to come to Dobsonville for training. Your helpless because players tell you no were not training. Then I had to send a voice note to say everybody has to report for duty,” explained Komphela.
The club eventually lost 2-1 to SuperSport United following their strike.
According to the PSL rules, the club now face points reduction, monetary fine or even an expulsion.
The club is currently sitting on 9th position on the log, with 19 points from 14 games.
The club hasn’t won in its last five matches, and points deduction will see it closer to the relegation zone.
