What the South African Football Players’ Union says

The Siya crew got in touch with SAFPU president, Thulaganyo Gaoshubelwe, to comment on the allegations made by sources on the union.

As things stand, is SAFPU suspended by FIFPro for maladministration and mismanagement of funds?

I am not too sure where you get that from, which makes it a bit difficult. I have never not commented or failed to comment on any matter, but I am not too sure where these come from. I saw some other article saying ‘a source’. I am not too sure who the source is, so it becomes difficult to comment on things that you read because we could be sitting in a situation where people understand processes differently. But I can tell you that we remain an affiliate of FIFPro at this point as I am talking to you.

We are an affiliate, so I am not too sure. As I say, it becomes difficult and I will not address the faceless sources.

What communication have you received from FIFPro regarding this matter of maladministration and mismanagement of funds?

We receive communication all the time from FIFPro. I expected all the countries need to communicate. We’ve got where we need to share information with them on accounting basis and so forth, so the issue of communication is not an unusual way of communicating with the mother body. Yes, we do communicate. I am not too sure exactly what communication is being referred to. From time to time, they will raise issues and request particular information and we need to give them. If they request, we forward the documents.

Are you aware of the lawyer who might have reported SAFPU to FIFPro for money allegedly owed to him?

I am not too sure of those, because I think he will probably be the best person to speak on his reports as I don’t have the communication where the lawyer says ‘I have reported’. I think he would be the best person to speak about those issues because I don’t want to speak for him.