Swallows slapped with R1 million fine, docked SIX log points

Moroka Swallows have been slapped with a fine of R1 million and docked six log points for their failure to honour two DStv Premiership matches in December 2023.

Swallows informed the PSL ahead of kick-off that they couldn’t fulfill the matches against Mamelodi Sundowns and Golden Arrows because of players striking over unpaid salaries.

Subsequently, Premier Soccer League (PSL) prosecutor Zola Majavu charged the Dube Birds with misconduct and bringing the league into disrepute.

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“I can confirm that earlier this evening, Moroka Swallows appeared before the PSL DC to answer to charges of misconduct on account of their non-fulfilment of the fixtures, which were scheduled for the 27th and 30th of December 2023 against Mamelodi Sundowns and Golden Arrows respectively. At the commencement of the proceedings, after the charges were put to them, they pleaded guilty and the league accepted their guilty plea and in the result, they were convicted accordingly,” Majavu said on Thursday.

“With regard to sanction, having listened to the submissions from the two legal representatives on behalf of the league as well as Swallows, the PSL DC returned the following ruling; one, in respect of each match that wasn’t honoured, the opponents of Swallows were awarded that match on the basis of a three point and three goals basis… what’s referred to as a walkover.

“Two, they were further fined a monetary amount of R1m of which R600,000 is suspended for a period of 24 months on condition that during the period of suspension, they’re not found guilty of the same offence. The balance of R400,000 is to be paid effectively. They were further ordered to carry the costs of the sitting and that will be added to the R400,000.”

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SWALLOWS HAVE DROPPED TO 14TH PLACE

Majavu also insisted that the league’s DC warned Swallows to guard against re-offending, suggesting the Birds avoided an even heftier penalty by pleading guilty at the first opportunity they got.

“The DC further cautioned Swallows about the perilous route and fate that may befall them, should they reoffend in that, one of the competence sanctions could easily have been a suspension from the league or a total expulsion from the league. However, the DC recognised that they pleaded guilty at the first available opportunity and that was accepted in  their favour as indicative of remorse,” Majavu stated.

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The points penalty dropped Swallows down to 14th place in the DStv Premiership standings with 13 points.

They are still well ahead of bottom-placed Cape Town Spurs who have four points.

Swallows’ next DStv Premiership match is due to be on the road against Cape Town City FC on Tuesday, 13 February at 19:30.

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