Moroka Swallows has been fined R1 million by the Premier Soccer League (PSL) Disciplinary Committee (DC) for failing to honour two of their Premiership matches in December.
This after Swallows informed PSL that they would not pitch for the match due to a players strike at the club over their wages.
The Dube Birds, as Swallows is affectionately known, were supposed to face Mamelodi Sundowns and Golden Arrows respectively in their last two matches in December.
The club appeared before the PSL DC on Thursday on charges of misconduct on account of their non-fulfilment of the two fixtures.
The club pleaded guilty, and the league accepted their guilty plea and convicted accordingly.
“In respect of each match that was not honoured, the opponents of Moroka Swallows were awarded that match based on a three point and three goals basis.
They were further fined a monetary amount of R1 million, 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 thousand is to be paid effectively,” said PSL prosecutor, Zola Majavu.
The team was also ordered to pay the costs of the sitting, which will be added on the R400 000 to be paid.
Swallows has been embroiled in a non-payment of salaries, resulting in some of the players refusing to avail themselves for training last year.
The club has been quoted in the media saying it is unable to meet its financial obligations, as the monthly grant from the PSL is too little.
Majavvu highlighted that Swallows were cautioned about the serious repercussions that may befall them should they reoffend.
“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 an indicative of remorse,” explained Majavu.
Majavu said the league also accepted the club’s undertaking that they have learned their lesson and will put measures in place to ensure that a repeat of this unfortunate incident that could potentially damage the brand of the league is not repeated.
