Problem-plagued Mamelodi Sundowns on Friday announced that executive director Afzal Khan will be leaving the club in the wake of the protracted dispute in which Venezuelan international striker Jose Torrealba alleged his signature had been forged on a document confirming the renewal of his contract with the Premier Soccer League (PSL) champions.
At the same time, billionaire club president Patrice Motsepe revealed at a media conference on Friday that Sundowns are prepared to grant Torrealba a conditional clearance, while still pursuing an arbitration hearing based on the premise that the Venezuelan star is a legitimately registered player of the Brazilians.
”We are not disputing the allegation that Torrealba’s signature on the renewal document is a forgery,” added Motsepe, ”but the truth of the matter is that the player signed a further PSL registration document for the current season — which he is not disputing — and that makes him a Sundowns player.”
Motsepe, however, reiterated that after much acrimony regarding the controversial issue, Sundowns had no desire to retain Torrealba’s services.
”That is why we are prepared to grant him a conditional clearance to further his career elsewhere,” added the Sundowns president, ”but we want the case that has been heard by the PSL and Safa [South African Football Association] to go to arbitration to prove a point.”
Regarding the departure of Khan, Motsepe said there was no concrete evidence of who had signed the letter confirming Torrealba’s retention by Sundowns.
”But Afzal Khan was handling the matter on our behalf and we can’t afford to have this cloud hanging over our heads without taking some form of action,” he added. ”We have held discussions with the executive director and he will be leaving on a mutually acceptable basis.”
Khan later confirmed the arrangement and said he will ”move on” with his career as a soccer administrator. ”I leave Sundowns on good terms after a memorable and successful season at the club and wish them the best of luck in the future.”
He also denied that he had forged Torrealba’s signature. — Sapa