”Let’s chuck these cheats in the dustbin,” is how Premier Soccer League CEO Trevor Phillips feels about the recent allegations of match fixing and bribery which implicates top officials, players and referees within local football.
He was talking during a live interview with soccer writers Mark Gleeson and Thomas Kwenaite on SuperSport on Wednesday evening.
”Sometimes it is too difficult to decide between competence and cheating. But something needs to be done about the standard of refereeing,” he said.
It was speculated that the meagre pay earned by referees could be the reason for their alleged cheating. But Phillips said that ”refereeing should be an after hours job”.
It was reported last Sunday that the SA Police Service had completed their investigations and were ready to pounce on anyone found to have been involved in a scam.
”This is the only way these allegations can be investigated. Police will gather evidence and take action, whatever it is. If there are cheats then let’s get rid of this rubbish once and for all. Chuck it in the dustbin,” he said.
”Look, it is going to be a rocky road, but the positive side of it is that we will then have a chance to give the SA soccer public something that they can trust and be proud of.”
It is understood that the inquiry was initiated by SA Football Association president Molefi Oliphant.
Phillips said: ”Give Oliphant credit for going to the police.”
However, Gleeson reminded Phillips that nothing was done when the allegations were made a long time ago. He said the feeling was that the current investigation would be like the others.
The PSL called for an inquiry in 1998 which was chaired by Advocate McCaps Motimele but the findings were never made public.
”No prosecution will ever take place,” said Gleeson. ”No one has been arrested now. It is now four days since the media broke the story.” – Sapa