PSL leadership under fire as Pirates and Arrows face sanctions

COMMENT

The integrity of South African football is under scrutiny as two prominent PSL clubs, entwined with top PSL officials, face severe repercussions from international governing bodies.

Orlando Pirates and Golden Arrows are at the centre of controversy, sparking concerns over accountability among club owners who are also influential figures in the league’s administration.

Orlando Pirates, owned by PSL chairman Irvin Khoza, were recently fined $20 000 (about R345 000) for sprinkling chemical products in the dressing room of DRC side Saint-Éloi Lupopo, during their match at Orlando Stadium. This misstep, which posed health risks and breached international regulations, led Fifa to take immediate action against the club.

Pirates also incurred an additional $5 000 (R86 200) fine for denying Lupopo proper accreditation, further emphasising a pattern of oversight and indifference to protocol.

In a parallel scenario, Golden Arrows, under the ownership of PSL acting CEO Mato Madlala, faces a much graver penalty: a transfer ban from Fifa that spans three window periods. This unprecedented ban follows the club’s dealings involving former striker Zimbabwean Knox Mutizwa, who was released prematurely at the end of the previous season.

The ramifications for Arrows extend beyond immediate operational challenges, signalling a serious breach of the rules that govern player transfers.

The actions and decisions of Khoza and Madlala have drawn widespread criticism from the football fraternity, which has long raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest due to their dual roles.

As custodians of the PSL’s affairs, their mismanagement sets a poor precedent for other clubs, casting a long shadow over the league’s reputation.

With the PSL’s integrity now at stake, many are calling for Khoza and Madlala to refocus on their clubs and address these issues. The need for sound governance and adherence to regulations is paramount in a landscape where every decision affects not only individual clubs but the entire league’s standing on a global scale.

These events should act as a wake-up call for South African football leaders. As guardians of their clubs, they must prioritise compliance and accountability to ensure past mistakes are not repeated and do not threaten the league’s future.