Liam Bern Cleared as Free Agent, Sparks Controversy in PSL

Liam Bern has been cleared and declared a free agent by the PSL Dispute Resolution Chamber (DRC) in his long-standing dispute with Cape Town Spurs.

Bern has won his case against Spurs, who were blocking his move to AmaZulu. The club had argued that he was not a free agent and that a transfer fee was required.

However, the player, his legal team, and AmaZulu took the matter to the DRC, following a similar path to Bern’s former teammates, Asanele Velebayi and Luke Baartman.

All three players sought to be declared free agents after Spurs were relegated to the ABC Motsepe Regional League at the end of last season.

According to PSL regulations, a player’s contract becomes void if the club is relegated to the ABC Motsepe Regional League. However, Spurs argued that players with existing contracts still require a transfer fee.

Baartman and Velebayi won their cases at the DRC and were subsequently signed by Kaizer Chiefs. However, Spurs has appealed the decision to the South African Football Association (SAFA) Appeals Board, which is why neither player has been able to play for the Chiefs yet.

Spurs has the option to appeal Bern’s case to the SAFA Appeals Board as well, and any decision from that body would be final.

AmaZulu signed Bern during the off-season but has not registered him with the PSL, a fact confirmed by the club’s president, Sandile Zungu.

The club was waiting for the outcome of the DRC hearing, hoping that Bern would be declared a free agent, similar to Baartman and Velebayi.

Now that he has been declared a free agent, AmaZulu can finally register and play Bern. However, this depends on whether Spurs decides to appeal the DRC ruling to the SAFA Appeals Board.