Soccer

Swallows face severe sanction for failure to play games

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Tshegofatso Mabasa of Moroka Swallows during the DStv Premiership 2023/24 football match between Royal AM and Moroka Swallows at Harry Gwala Stadium on 23 December 2023 ©Gerhard Duraan/BackpagePix
  • Post published:December 28, 2023

Moroka Swallows are unable to fulfil their fixture on Wednesday against champions Mamelodi Sundowns and their home game at weekend against Polokwane City, the Premier Soccer League announced on Wednesday.

No reasons were given for the match postponements but Swallows players have reported not been paid for several weeks.

Both the league and the club erroneously said the second game was against Lamontville Golden Arrows.

“The Premier Soccer League has been officially notified today that Moroka Swallows Football Club is unable to fulfil its scheduled DStv Premiership fixtures against Mamelodi Sundowns on 27 December 2023, and Lamontville Golden Arrows [sic] on 30 December 2023. The League extends its sincere apologies to all stakeholders, including clubs, partners, media and spectators, for this unfortunate situation,” said a league statement.
Swallows are likely to be charged and could face a major points fine or even expulsion from the league.

The PSL rules say that club that is unable to fulfil its obligations may have its membership of the league cancelled.

A statement from Swallows added: “On behalf of Moroka Swallows FC, an apology is extended to all affected parties due to the cancellation of the following games against Mamelodi Sundowns FC and Golden Arrows FC [sic].

“Due to an unresolved dispute between players and management; that has resulted in management having to request cancellation of the two remaining games of this year from the PSL, to allow it time to correct the situation.

“Management would like to assure everyone within and outside the club that the process of finding one another will soon be found. It has been resolved that no further details will be officially given until an update from the club is issued.”

Earlier this month Swallows coach Steve Komphela told reporters that players did not train for 10 days and the club’s chairman David Mogashoa admitted delays in paying the players, but claimed they have since sorted out the arrears.

It was five years ago this month, Komphela had to deal with similar problems when he coached at Bloemfontein Celtic and ultimately left the club in frustration.
It is the first time in PSL history that a club has proven unable to fulfil a top flight fixture.

The last time it happened in the domestic game was in 1994 when Royal Tigers from Durban ran out of money, and already relegated, did not pitch for their final game of the league season away against Hellenic.