Cape Town Spurs CEO Alexi Efstathiou has addressed the ongoing transfer saga regarding three players, Asanele Velebayi and Luke Baartman, who are linked with moves to Kaizer Chiefs, and Liam Bern, who’s linked to AmaZulu.

The Urban Warriors dropped down to the third tier of South African football, the ABC Motsepe League, following their relegation from the Motsepe Foundation Championship. According to NSL rules, the trio is available as free agents on the market as the Cape club is now an amateur team.

However, Efstathiou has reportedly commanded the players to report back to training, allegedly threatening to take legal action in what he believes is a breach of contract. The young talents are believed to have signed with the Betway Premiership clubs.

“Cape Town Spurs acknowledges the widespread public discussion surrounding the recent transfer activities involving some of our talented young players. We understand the keen interest from our loyal supporters and the broader football community, and we wish to provide clarity on our position,” Efstathiou said in a club statement.

“As a club, Cape Town Spurs has always been, and will continue to be, open to engaging with any club genuinely interested in our players. We believe in fostering talent and providing pathways for our athletes to grow and succeed. Our commitment to the development of South African football remains unwavering.

“However, it is imperative that all dealings are conducted with the utmost professionalism, transparency, and respect for established regulations and contractual agreements. In the current situation, we are determined to protect the rights and interests of Cape Town Spurs, as well as the integrity of the sport itself. We are actively addressing this matter through appropriate channels and will deal with it professionally and resolutely.

“What is particularly concerning to us is the welfare of the young players involved. These are promising individuals who, despite their immense talent on the field, are still developing and may lack the experience to navigate the complexities of professional football transfers. It is worrying to consider that they may have been misled or unduly influenced in making decisions that could have significant long-term consequences for their careers.

“We know the characters of these players intimately, having nurtured them within the Spurs family for over a decade. We have seen them grow from aspiring youngsters into the fine athletes they are today.

“This current situation, we believe, does not truly reflect who they are, nor does it align with the values we have instilled in them. Furthermore, we want to assure our supporters, and most importantly, our players, that Cape Town Spurs remains steadfast in its commitments. Our contracted players who are currently at training, fulfilling their professional obligations, will be paid accordingly. We understand that in this entire scenario, these players have families depending on the club meeting its obligations, and we will continue to do so as we always have.” 

The Spurs CEO concluded: “Cape Town Spurs remains committed to its players, its fans, and the principles if fair play. We urge all parties to act responsibly and with integrity as this situation unfolds. We will provide further updates as circumstances allow.”