Cosmos found guilty

Just as well for relegation-threatened Jomo Cosmos that they lost their Premier League game against Platinum Stars.

In an ironic twist, the PSL's Disciplinary Committee on Monday night found Jomo Sono's battling club guilty of having fielded a suspended player in Mali international Ousmane Berthe in the 2-0 defeat against Stars and fined Cosmos R70 000 - R10 000 of which must be paid immediately with the remaining R60 000 suspended for 12 months.

Had Cosmos gained any points from the game in their bitter battle to stave off relegation for the second time in three seasons, they would have been deprived of points that would have been more valuable than gold to them.

"But as they gained no points from the match," said PSL media manager Altaaf Kazi, "there were no points to subtract and the fine was the only penalty administered by the DC."

The bizarre saga materialised as a result of the bustling Berthe being handed a second red card this season in a game against Mamelodi Sundowns in November.

The PSL rules decree that a player is suspended for two games after receiving a first red card, but he must serve a three-game penalty for being ordered off the field a second time.

In mitigation, Cosmos pleaded they were unaware of the increased suspension for a second red-card offence.

And the Disciplinary Committee loaded the R70 000 fine imposed on Cosmos heavily towards the bulk of the penalty being of a suspended nature - but with the comment of one official "they were lucky they lost the game."

As for Berthe. he has technically still not completed his three-game suspension - but the PSL was unable to confirm whether the Mali international would now have to complete his suspension.

Source: Sapa