Zimpapers Logo

Washington Arubi

THE South African Premier Soccer league have charged eight individuals, who include players and officials, in the LIMPOPOGATE match-fixing saga. The SA PSL, however, did not reveal their names.

The Herald exclusively revealed last week that a number of players plying their trade in the South African Premiership were involved in a match-fixing scandal.

“As part of the ongoing investigation into allegations of match-fixing, the Premier Soccer League has filed charges against eight football officials and football players relating to contravention of the NSL Rule 53.1, 53.2 and 53.2.10,” the PSL said.

“The eight officials and players will appear before the PSL Disciplinary Committee on March 30, 2016 at 18h00.

“Due to the sensitive nature of the allegations and investigation, the PSL is withholding the names of the individuals concerned to ensure that the process runs without prejudice to the rights of the respondents.

“The PSL will, however, give detailed information after the PSL Disciplinary Committee has released its findings.

“The PSL will make no further comment on this matter.”

Bloemfontein Celtic goalkeeper Patrick Tignyemb, one of the players implicated, says he is clean and has nothing to fear after being linked with allegations of match-fixing.

Tignyemb and Celtic teammate Lantshene Phalane are among the PSL players whose names have cropped up in reports, as have the likes of University of Pretoria pair Washington Arubi and Partson Jaure, and Polokwane City’s George Chigova and Lebogang Motumi.

“I’ve seen the reports. But I don’t care about everything being said because I know that I’m clean,” Tignyemb told KickOff.com.

“I’m a Christian, I wouldn’t do something against the will of God. I have been loyal to Celtic, they have been good to me. I wouldn’t do anything to hurt the image and reputation of the club. I love Celtic and I’m going to retire here.

“You saw my performance today (last night) against Sundowns. I’m happy for the club. I’m happy that we won and we need to build on this performance.”

Celtic have continued to show faith in the ‘keeper and he has played two games since the scandal broke out and, on Wednesday, he saved a penalty at a crucial stage of the match with his team leading 1-0.

Phalane also scored the third goal, a beauty struck from distance, as Celtic shocked Sundowns 3-1 on Wednesday – Sports Reporter/Kick-Off