Warning letters sent to South Africa national team over 2012 Afcon qualification mess

Mar 30, 2012 11:50:00 AM

The country's football governing body has taken disciplinary action against those deemed to be responsible for the failed qualification to the Afcon

South African Football Association (Safa) CEO Robin Petersen has revealed that letters of warning have been sent to those members of the Bafana Bafana camp responsible for the Nations Cup debacle.

In an interview with Avusa Media, Petersen confirmed that action had been taken against those responsible for the qualification misunderstanding that cost Bafana a place at the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations.

Bafana were under the impression they needed a draw against Sierra Leone in their final Afcon qualifier in October, and blatantly wasted time to acheive that result. However, they had misread the rules and Niger qualified for the tournament.

According to the Sowetan, the Safa CEO, however, refused to name those seen as the perpetrators – apparently even when asked specifically by Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula.

"Letters of warning were written to people who should have known better," Petersen said.

"We had sent a report to the minister and to Sascoc (SA Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee) which indicated that disciplinary action had been taken against those who I felt were responsible for not reading the rules properly.

"But as I said to Sascoc and to the minister and to my [executive committee], that's a matter between myself and the employees.

"I listened to explanations that were given and then took what I believed was the right disciplinary action."

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