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Sports Reporter
FORMER SAFA president Kirsten Nematandani says he is not a corrupt individual and was not involved in any questionable dealings related to the controversy surrounding the 2010 World Cup warm-up matches involving Bafana Bafana.
A FIFA investigator has proposed a six-year ban from football for Nematandani after finding him guilty of breaching the organisation’s regulations which safeguard the integrity of the game from match-fixing.
FIFA have already established that most of the matches played by Bafana Bafana in the countdown to the 2010 World Cup finals were fixed after an Asian match-fixing syndicate infiltrated SAFA and provided referees for the matches.
Former ZIFA programmes officer Jonathan Musavengana has also been fingered in that scandal and a recommendation has been made that he be banned for life.
Nematandani yesterday maintained his innocence when he released a statement on a forum for leading African football writers and administrators, Football Africa Arena.
“I’m not corrupt, I do not get involved in match-fixing,” said Nematandani. I maintain my innocence. The SAFA CEO and the Legal Chairperson called me.
“They are taking the matter up with FIFA. I reserve my right to respond. This is about my reputation. I only have one reputation that I have to protect with my life if need be.
“The right of the accused person to be presumed innocent until proven guilty, the right of fair trial need to be respected. There (are) always two sides or more (to) any story. I can’t say more for now until I have weighed all my options.”
He also appeared to be taking a dig on those leading world football.
“It’s a cruel world, you are only good when you help them,” he said .
“When you are in the street you are nothing. It’s football but one day the truth shall come out. I thank God for my life. What goes around comes around.”
Online Reporter