FUSA Weighs In as Cape Town Spurs Face Player Dispute with Kaizer Chiefs Looming

With mounting tension over the futures of three rising stars, the Football Union of South Africa (FUSA) has issued a statement clarifying the status of Cape Town Spurs players strongly linked with Kaizer Chiefs, as a legal standoff between clubs appears increasingly likely.

Reports suggest that Asanele Velebayi and Luke Baartman have agreed to join Kaizer Chiefs, while teammate Liam Bern is believed to have completed a move to AmaZulu FC. However, Cape Town Spurs—recently relegated to the ABC Motsepe League—have reportedly requested all three players to return, claiming they remain contractually bound to the club.

The situation has sparked debate, particularly as Chiefs and Spurs have long maintained a history of collaboration. In years past, the two sides facilitated the transfer of high-profile talents including David Modise and David Nyathi, with the relationship continuing through the years despite structural changes at both clubs. More recently, defender Rushwin Dortley made a switch from Cape Town Spurs to Chiefs, rekindling ties between the two football institutions.

However, the current dispute is far more complex due to Spurs’ relegation from professional football. The club’s demotion to the amateur ranks has brought into question the validity of contracts signed under its previous status.

FUSA secretary Taelo Motloung addressed the controversy, explaining that relegation to the ABC Motsepe League—South Africa’s amateur division—automatically voids existing professional contracts.

“If a team is relegated to the ABC Motsepe League, the player’s contract with the club becomes null and void,” said Motloung. “That contract no longer holds because the club is now in the ABC Motsepe League, which is an amateur division. We all know there’s no remuneration at the amateur level, so it automatically terminates the contract between the club and the player.”

This clarification may prove pivotal in determining whether the players are free to complete their moves to their respective new clubs. For Kaizer Chiefs, the possible arrival of Velebayi and Baartman would further bolster a squad already undergoing a transformation ahead of the 2025/26 season.

As the situation develops, attention will now turn to whether Cape Town Spurs will pursue any legal action or accept FUSA’s interpretation of the rules. In the meantime, the futures of some of South Africa’s most promising young talents hang in the balance.