First Division Inland Stream side FC AK qualified for the end-of-season play-off match to decide who will be promoted to the Absa Premiership for next season, where they were due to meet Maritzburg United.
But Thursday’s findings almost certainly put them out of the running, meaning the door has now been opened for second-placed Dynamos, or indeed Mpumalanga Black Aces, who were the complainants in the bribery case, and said their goalkeeper, Michael Babale, had been offered a bribe before a league match.
A PSL statement on Thursday evening read as follows:
“The Disciplinary Committee of the League delivered its verdict in the matter involving Mpumalanga Black Aces (“Aces”) as the complainant and Mr Azziz Kara and FC AK as the first and second Respondents (“The Respondents”) respectively, where in both respondents have been found guilty on charges of bribery and corruption.
“Sentence will be handed down on 30 April 2008, after both parties, including the League, have been afforded an opportunity to provide the DC with their respective submissions with regard to sentencing, by no later than close of business on 29 April 2008.
“Once the DC has deliberated on all these submissions, it would then pass what it considers to be the appropriate sentence.
“Until then, the League will not make any pronouncements on sentence or even be drawn to any speculations with regard thereto.
“The League reiterates its respect for the independence of its judicial bodies.”
