Gordon Igesund accusers to be punished

“We didn’t make a recommendation, but we made it clear at the outset, if the accused was found guilty, steps would be taken,” lawyer Norman Arendse said on Thursday.

He was briefing reporters in Johannesburg after releasing the report on a probe conducted by a task team which he headed into two allegations levelled against the national coach.

Igesund was cleared of trying to influence players to ask for more bonuses during the African Nations Championship (Chan) in January.

The probe also found no basis for allegations that his team selections were influenced by player agents, who were believed to have had a say in who he selected for the national team.

Safa president Danny Jordaan echoed Arendse’s remarks.

“If these allegations [against Igesund] were proved to be true, it would have led to a dismissal,” Jordaan said.

“The allegations were dismissed by the task team. For those who were accused, the matter has been settled.”

Reading from a statement, Arendse cleared Igesund on both allegations.

“The two allegations against the head coach had no substance whatsoever,” Arendse read from a statement.

Safa’s national executive committee (NEC) met earlier this week to deliberate on the task team’s findings and recommendations, as well as the disciplinary committee’s decision.

Igesund has denied the claims from the outset and last week said he felt confident of being cleared of any wrongdoing.

Arendse concluded: “On the basis of evidence, the task team found that there was no basis for the allegations.”

– Sapa