As One FC continues to establish itself as a force on the Western Cape football landscape, questions are increasingly being raised about whether football regulations are being applied consistently across all clubs.
Several issues, including the club’s development structures, its ability to operate in Cape Town after reportedly acquiring an Overberg franchise, its alleged links to former club Hope FC, and the speed with which the transition from Nannini Na FC to One FC was approved.
Look, no one is suggesting wrongdoing on the part of One FC. However, some are questioning whether the same rules and standards applied to other clubs have been applied equally in this case.
One of the key concerns relates to club compliance requirements. Football regulations generally require clubs to maintain both senior and junior structures as part of their overall organisational framework.
Critics have questioned whether One FC currently meets all of those requirements and, if so, whether the relevant structures have been properly documented and approved.
The issue of franchise relocation has also come under scrutiny. One FC reportedly acquired an Overberg-based franchise but now plays its home fixtures in Cape Town, operating from the Curro Durbanville facilities.
While such arrangements may be permissible under certain circumstances, competitors have questioned whether the same flexibility has been afforded to other clubs in similar situations.
A frequently cited example is Ammar FC. They acquired a Winelands franchise but was reportedly required to continue operating within that region’s framework, despite training in Cape Town and drawing much of its player base from the Mother City.
This has led to growing questions about why One FC was apparently permitted to establish its operational base in Cape Town while other clubs faced stricter territorial requirements.
Attention has also turned to SAFA Western Cape and its role in approving or facilitating the arrangement.
Were there any objections considered during the approval process and whether all governance procedures were followed transparently?
More importantly, were the relevant regulations applied uniformly to reassure clubs that the process was fair?
As One FC’s influence continues to grow, the debate appears less about the club itself and more about the principle of consistency.
For many within local football circles, the central question remains whether all clubs are subject to the same rules and whether football authorities are applying those rules evenly across the board.
Until those questions are fully addressed, scrutiny surrounding the One FC’s rapid rise is unlikely to disappear.
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