The Free State Knights have been relegated to Division 2, with the EP Warriors staying up, but that could change due to the One-Day Cup quota controversy.

The Knights finished last on the Division 1 promotion-relegation table, which takes into account log finishes in all three domestic competitions.

However, three weeks ago the Free State Cricket Union sent CSA a lawyer’s letter demanding that the Warriors’ One-Day Cup win against the Dolphins in Durban be removed from the wins column on the tournament log.

While the Warriors were docked log points for not fielding three black Africans in their starting XI, costing them a place in the playoffs, their wins column was not adjusted.

With both the Warriors and Knights on 16 log points, the Warriors’ four wins has them above the Knights, who won three matches, on the One-Day Cup log.

Were that win to be removed, both teams would have three wins and the Knights would move above the Warriors on net run rate.

The Knights would also leapfrog the Warriors on the promotion-relegation table, with the Warriors relegated instead.

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It could be a while before a final decision is made, with both the Warriors (who appealed CSA’s decision to dock them log points) and the Knights having been granted mediation by the national governing body.

“The Knights have requested mediation, so we’re busy finalising the dates and appointments,” CSA CEO Pholetsi Moseki told News24. “The Warriors’ one is set for next week and from there, we will hear what will come out of those processes.

“If something comes out of those processes, there will be an update on the matter and there will be the necessary changes made.

“Up until there are any changes, the Knights remain relegated as per the status quo of the log.

“Nothing is suspended until there are different outcomes from the mediations that require us to go back to the drawing board.”

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Moseki said the unions could take further action if unhappy with the outcome.

“If mediation doesn’t work, the teams can go to arbitration. That would be the next step, and in terms of our Mol [memorandum of incorporation], all internal processes have to be exhausted before external ones can be pursued.

“You can’t go to court until the internal dispute resolution blocks are ticked.”

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