PSL avoids chaos as Marumo Gallants receive lenient sanction

The Premier Soccer League (PSL) has narrowly avoided chaos on the eve of the 2025/26 season, thanks to a lenient outcome in the controversial registration saga involving Marumo Gallants and midfielder Monde Mphambaniso.

Cape Town City had been hoping for a last-minute lifeline that might see them reinstated in the Betway Premiership, but those hopes were crushed on Thursday night when the PSL Disciplinary Committee (DC) handed Gallants a R200,000 fine — half suspended — for violating registration rules.

That means the MTN8 will go ahead without delay, and the top-flight calendar remains intact, even though the decision leaves many with more questions than answers.

City had taken the matter to arbitration through the South African Football Association (SAFA), arguing that Gallants breached league regulations by fielding Mphambaniso in 26 of their 28 league matches last season despite not securing the correct clearance certificate. 

The PSL handbook clearly stipulates that such documentation is required when a player moves between clubs, especially if they were previously registered as professionals.

The midfielder had been part of the Gallants setup when the club sold its Motsepe Foundation Championship status to Leruma United last year, allowing them to purchase Moroka Swallows’ Premiership license. 

With that transaction, Mphambaniso effectively became a Leruma United player — and thus should have been cleared anew to feature for Gallants.

Instead, Gallants simply carried on with him in their squad, setting the stage for a dispute that could’ve derailed the entire league kickoff.

PSL prosecutor Zola Majavu confirmed on Thursday that Gallants had pleaded guilty to misconduct, acknowledging their failure to follow proper procedure in registering Mphambaniso.

“The PSL finalised a disciplinary matter, in which I had proferred charges of misconduct against Marumo Gallants FC and its player Monde Mphambaniso,” said Majavu. 

“The case stems from the registration of Mphambaniso, which was procured by Gallants without the required clearance certificate in accordance with the rules of the league.”

While Gallants were fined, no points were docked — a crucial blow to Cape Town City’s case. The Mother City outfit, relegated via the playoffs in May, had hoped a deduction would open the door for their return to the top flight. Instead, they must now prepare for another season in the second tier.

“Coming to the issue of sanction, having listened to the evidence in aggravation and mitigation and the prevailing contextual background… the PSL ruled Marumo Gallants be fined the amount of R200,000, half of which is immediately payable, and the other half suspended for 24 months on condition that during the period of suspension they’re not found guilty of the same offence,” Majavu added.

Gallants were also ordered to cover the legal costs of the disciplinary proceedings. As for the player himself, Mphambaniso was found not guilty and escaped any personal sanction.

In the end, the league remains uninterrupted — but questions over governance, consistency, and enforcement continue to swirl.