Legal Expert Weighs In on Kaizer Chiefs' Approach for Talented Winger After FIFA Rule Claims

A legal expert has offered his perspective on whether Kaizer Chiefs breached FIFA regulations after TS Galaxy chairman Tim Sukazi claimed the club used various methods to lure Puso Dithejane back before his eventual move to Chicago Fire.

Dithejane was a player in high demand. TS Galaxy reportedly turned down an offer from Mamelodi Sundowns, while Kaizer Chiefs allegedly engaged the 21-year-old and his father directly to persuade him to rejoin the Soweto giants before submitting a formal bid.

According to local media reports, Tim Sukazi stated on Ikwekwezi FM that Kaizer Chiefs had been calling the attacker.

He also claimed that football manager Bobby Motaung contacted Dithejane’s father in an attempt to secure his return, a move that was ultimately unsuccessful as Chicago Fire won the race for his signature.

To clarify the legality of such actions, attorney Mpho Nkontlha of Nkontlha Attorneys Inc. was consulted on whether it is against FIFA rules for a club to speak directly to a player or their family while the player is under contract with another team.

"I don't see anything wrong, as Chiefs were not saying 'breach your contract'," Nkontlha explained to Soccer Laduma.

"They were merely saying, 'speak to the boy to choose us, we will formally acquire his services, but he should not consider other clubs. We know that he will be sold. We have the money and are ready to buy him. But we are competing with other clubs. If that was the case, there is no breach of statutes."

The attorney, who is also a FIFA-licensed agent, clarified that the situation would change if the message was for Dithejane to terminate his contract to join Amakhosi.

He stated that such an action, whether communicated to the player or his father, would constitute an inducement and a breach of FIFA’s Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players, as the intent would be to sign him as a free agent.

"But if they intend to pay a transfer fee, they could send any person to convince him to sign for them for a transfer fee," Nkontlha added. "Dithejane is entitled to say, 'Yes, I will join you, provided you follow the right process'. A player may agree to a move or decline it."

While direct communication with a player and his father is one approach, questions have been raised about whether a more effective strategy would have involved engaging the player's representative and agent, Tim Sukazi.