Safa to crack down on graft

FOR several seasons now, the Safa Second Division League has been synonymous with allegations of bribery and corruption.

But the scourge which has plagued the third tier of South African football no longer has a place in the domestic game, insisted Safa CEO Robin Petersen, ahead of the promotional play-offs.

Nine teams from both the coastal and inland streams will battle it out for two places in the National First Division (NFD) in a week-long play-off tournament in Polokwane next month.

Matches will take place at the Peter Mokaba Sports Complex and at Seshego Stadium from July 2-8.

But the over-arching question is about the unscrupulous acts of corruption, which undermine the integrity and development of football in the country. It s often a challenge for Safa to keep a

’ close eye on proceedings in the lower leagues, where the environment is conducive for both referees and players to be influenced through money to give away games.

Petersen, however, is adamant measures to curb corruption in the lower leagues are firmly in place.

There has been an outcry and genuine “complaints about the level of officiating in the Vodacom League,” said Petersen.

Elements of corruption keep creeping “into our league, but we ll keep on working

’ to curb such tendencies.

This scourge has an adverse effect on “the development of football and we can t

’ let the rot continue. We ll keep our focus on

’ eliminating it.”