PSL DC hands Khenyeza 12-months suspension

The Premier Soccer League (PSL) Disciplinary Committee today handed down its ruling in the case involving Ajax Cape Town and Mabhuti Khenyeza.

Khenyeza and Ajax Cape Town FC were charged with various offences arising from an incident which took place during a fixture between Ajax Cape Town and Mamelodi Sundowns played at Loftus Stadium on 02 April 2013.

Ajax Cape Town FC was acquitted of the charges brought against it but Khenyeza was convicted of swearing and spitting at a match official, Zakhele Siwela.

Today, the PSL DC ruled that:

-           Khenyeza is suspended from all football activities under the auspices of the League for a period of 12 (twelve) months (in terms of Rule 50.14.5 of the Rules of the League).

-           Khenyeza is ordered to pay costs of the two sittings of 17th and 23rd May 2013, such costs to include the travel costs of the League’s witnesses only for 23rd May 2013.

PSL Prosecutor, Nandé Becker said: “We welcome the sentence which is commensurate with the seriousness of the offences with which the player was charged with. I hope that the finding and sentence will send a strong message to all football players. Football players should be role models to their supporters, especially when matches are televised internationally. We believe that there is a fine line that must not be crossed by players in their conduct towards match officials. If players and officials want to be respected by match officials, they must at all times show the same type of respect towards such officials, irrespective of any decisions which may have been made against them by the official.”