COPE: Sedibe could blow lid on corruption in football

Former SAFA CEO LESLIE SEDIBE hit back at FIFA and SAFA by calling them cowards. He has also announced that he is prepared to meet the international football governing body in court.
Former SAFA CEO LESLIE SEDIBE hit back at FIFA and SAFA by calling them cowards. He has also announced that he is prepared to meet the international football governing body in court.
The Congress of the People (COPE) on Tuesday appeared to peg hopes on former South African Football Association (Safa) CEO Leslie Sedibe to open a “can of worms” about corruption on local football.

The party said the news of the “banning of Sedibe and two other Safa officials for their role in match-fixing does not come as a surprise to us”‚ said the party’s Dennis Bloem.

“Corruption in football is systemic.”

Sedibe was been banned from all football activities for five years‚ and given a fine equivalent to R300000‚ while match officials Steve Goddard and Adeel Carelse each got a two-year sanction.

“Cope feels confident that brave souls within Safa will help to fully open up the can of worms. They must do so out of love for the beautiful game‚” said Bloem.

“More explosive information is bound to come out and more Safa officials will be exposed.

“That Sedibe is calling officials in both Fifa and Safa ‘cowards’ is indicative of his anger at being made a sacrificial lamb. It is up to Sedibe to cast light on the goings on at Safa and thereby to clear his name.”

Sedibe held a press conference on Monday in which he vowed to clear his name‚ and hinted at unfair treatment by both Safa and Fifa.

Cope also urged sports minister Fikile Mbalula to request the Hawks to investigate Safa for corruption.

“Just as Fifa officers were raided and documents seized‚ Safa officers should also be raided and documents seized‚” Bloem said.

Despite news of the ban‚ Sedibe looks likely to hold on to his current position as CEO of Proudly South Africa.

Sedibe has the support of Proudly SA board chairman Joseph Maqhekeni‚ who issued a statement to say: “Proudly SA continues with its daily business and duties”‚ and has “full confidence in its CEO”.

The cases involving Sedibe‚ Goddard and Carelse concerned “international friendly matches played in South Africa in 2010”‚ a Fifa statement said.

subscribe

Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.

Speech Bubbles

Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.