It may still be well over a month before the start of the Absa Permiership season but Premier Soccer League (PSL) newcomers Highlands Park and Baroka FC are already going head-to-head in an off the pitch tussle over midfielder Richard Matloga.Baroka‚ who gained promotion to the topflight after winning the National First Division (NFD) title two months ago‚ announced Matloga as one of their new signings for the coming season a week ago.Highlands Park‚ the side the midfielder represented last season on their way to gaining promotion through the promotion-relegation playoffs‚ are adamant that Matloga remains contracted to the Tembisa-based club.Baroka‚ on the other hand‚ claim that they've signed the player as a free agent. “Richard remains our player‚ and anybody who wants the player must come to us – simple‚” Highlands director Sinky Mnisi said.But Baroka remains convinced that they secured Matloga's signature lawfully after their acquisition of the player was approved by the PSL.Highlands took the matter to the PSL and League officials are reviewing the dispute in its Dispute Resolution Chamber (DRC).“He (Matloga) is with Baroka [currently]‚ they presumed to have signed him. It is their democratic right to do that‚ but this matter is in the hands of the DRC in the PSL‚” said Mnisi.“Matloga remains a Highlands Park player. We will elaborate the facts at the end because the matter is sub judice at the moment and I cannot be discussing the matter [in public] whilst it is still under review.“I have written a letter to the league to inform them that he is still our player and [his] contract states that. We will wait for the league to deal with the matter. If Baroka wants the player‚ they will have to come and discuss it with us.”From the lowlands to the HighlandsOnce again, the Premier Soccer League's folly of the National First Division promotion play-offs was shown up by Highlands Park. Mnisi added that his side did not want to be entangled in a war of words with Baroka‚ given the two sides’ rivalry dating back to their NFD days.“We don’t want to be engaged with Baroka in any fights because in the past we have been accused of lacking sportsmanship‚ they said it was sour grapes (after finishing behind Baroka in the NFD)‚” said Mnisi.The director is pleased with the 12 new signings his side has included for the coming season. “We are more than happy‚” he said.“We had a mini-cheque book‚ and we have used it wisely… People can brace themselves for a war. We are not just going to let anybody go past Makhulong Stadium." - TMG Digital..