Cape Town Spurs is determined to prevent three key players—Asanele Velebhayi, Luke Baartman, and Liam Bern—from leaving the club for free.
According to a source, losing these players would have a devastating ripple effect on the club, which could affect over 200 people, including families.
The club has made it clear that they must recoup the funds invested in these players to keep the club operational and ensure that employees continue to receive their salaries.
Velebhayi and Baartman, both wanted by Kaizer Chiefs, have not returned to pre-season training since the club’s relegation.
They have taken the club to the Premier Soccer League (PSL) Dispute Resolution Chamber (DRC) in an effort to be released from their contracts for free.
Velebhayi’s case is scheduled to be heard on Monday after being postponed last week. Spurs have stated that Velebhayi, who was appointed club captain last season, is valued at R10 million. They have placed the higher price tag on Baartman.
Meanwhile, Bern, who is currently with AmaZulu, has not yet reported his matter to the PSL DRC. The transfer fee for Bern is still unknown. AmaZulu president Sandile Zungu has confirmed that the club cannot register Bern with the PSL until his contractual dispute is resolved.
Despite their financial challenges, a source confirmed that Spurs paid all employee salaries in July, including that of new coach Nasief Morris, to demonstrate their commitment to the staff, even after being relegated.
The Club’s Perspective and Broader Implications
A source within the club, who requested anonymity, described the players’ demands as “incredibly calculated,” suggesting that a few individuals and other clubs could gain significantly at the expense of everyone else. “The ripple effect is being conveniently ignored,” the source stated.
According to the source, this ripple effect would be profound. Losing the players for free would create a catastrophic hole in the budget, jeopardizing the club’s ability to:
- Pay salaries for the 14 loyal players who reported for duty.
- Maintain essential training facilities and operations.
- Fulfill commitments to staff and youth development programs.
- Recoup significant investment made through their academy, losing crucial future transfer revenue.
“This isn’t just about spreadsheets,” the source stressed. “It’s about the families of those 14 players wondering if they’ll get paid next month. It’s about our youth coaches, our grounds staff, and their livelihoods.”
The source added that this crisis also sets a dangerous precedent for South African football. If these players are allowed to terminate their contracts without consequence, it could encourage others to do the same, particularly at smaller clubs.
“If contracts become mere suggestions, it opens the floodgates,” the source said. “It rewards opportunism over loyalty and undermines the entire competitive structure.”
Spurs have instructed the players to return to training and are formally pursuing the matter through the PSL’s DRC. The outcome is being closely watched across the football community.
“This is absolutely a test case,” the source concluded. “It’s about whether the investments clubs make in players are protected and whether the collective good—the staff, the loyal players, the fans, the community—matters more than the immediate desires of a few.”