The South African Football Association (Safa) has condemned an alleged match-fixing incident that led to the arrest of three soccer officials in Polokwane.
”This is a very sad state of affairs … Having people in positions of responsibility who are initiating such actions of bribery is very disappointing,” Safa spokesperson Morio Sanyane said on Monday.
He said the trio involved — the chairperson and coach of the City Pillars team, as well as a referee — would face a disciplinary hearing once they were done with their corruption case before court.
”Surely the law must take its course. It is a bit premature to pre-empt what will happen should they be found guilty.”
Sanyane commended the referees who blew the whistle on the incident for their vigilance, and police officers for ”their swift action”.
”We thank the vigilant referees who made it their priority to protect the profession that is so important to the success of football in the country.”
The 53-year-old City Pillars chairperson and the 48-year-old coach were allegedly caught while paying a 40-year-old referee R1 000 following a game with OR Tambo FC on Sunday.
Limpopo police spokesperson Superintendent Motlafela Mojapelo said the officers ”set a trap after receiving information that City Pillars’ officials were planning to bribe the referees”.
He said the amount agreed on was R4 000, a balance of which was to be paid at a later stage.
More arrests were likely because the arrested referee did not officiate during the game. ”He only acted as a middleman.”
The three are expected to appear in the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday facing charges of corruption. — Sapa