Moroka Swallows felt the wrath of the Premier Soccer League’s disciplinary committee this week as the league took a tough stance on clubs failing to abide by the rules.
The Birds were fined R100 000 and assistant coach Zeca Marques R50 000 for misconduct during their opening Absa Premiership fixture against Golden Arrows played at the Johannesburg Stadium on August 8.
PSL prosecutor Zola Majavu, said the stiff fines and punishment meted out to Swallows and Marques was a warning to other clubs and officials that the PSL and the disciplinary committee are determined to stamp out misconduct.
Said Majavu: ”Clubs who act unprofessionally and do not adhere to the PSL’s compliance manual will be punished.
”We are aiming at becoming totally professional on and off the field and we will not tolerate clubs flouting the rules.”
Swallows and Marques pleaded guilty to charges of misconduct during the fixture against Arrows.
Swallows failed to furnish the match commissioner, the broadcaster and the referee with proper team sheets before the match which resulted in embarrassing confusion to the TV broadcasters who had to rely on inadequate information said Majavu.
The club will pay R50 000 immediately and the other R50 000 is suspended for 12 months on condition the Birds are not found guilty of a similar offence during that period.
Marques, who was deputising for head coach Rainer Zobel, arrived 30 minutes late for the pre-match coaches interview.
Marques has been ordered to pay R10 000 with the remaining R40 000 suspended for 12 months.
The match ended goalless and the Birds will be hoping for better fortune when they face Orlando Pirates in a Soweto Derby at the revamped Dobsonville Stadium on Wednesday night. Kick-off is at 7.30pm. — Sapa