Three clubs in South Africa have been handed lifetime bans by the country’s football authorities after fixing games.
The BBC reports that the clubs in the nation’s fourth tier raised alarm after some incredible scorelines emerged at the back end of last month with Matiyasi FC and Shivulani Dangerous Tigers battling for the title.
Shivulani actually led by three points and had a superior 16-goal difference going into the final day and needed a win to earn promotion and got the result they needed as they recorded a resounding 33-1 victory over Kotoko Happy Boys. But more drama emerged as Matiyasi outdid their title rivals by beating third-placed Nsami Mighty Birds 59-1.
The teams were much more evenly matched when they met in March. Matiyasi beat Nsami Mighty Birds 2-1 in the first fixture, while Shivulani Dangerous Tigers drew 2-2 with Kotoko Happy Boys.
South African lower division side Matiyasi FC 🇿🇦 have been BANNED for life after beating Nsami Mighty Birds 59-1, with 41 of the goals scored as own-goals.
Matiyasi were vying for promotion to the Provincial ABC Motsepe League. pic.twitter.com/6D59M0dmy0
— Nuhu Adams ™️ (@NuhuAdams_) June 1, 2022
The ban means that Gawula Classic, who finished fourth in the league, were declared winners after the three teams above them were banned.
Officials from the clubs have received suspensions of between five and eight seasons, while the match officials have been given ten-season bans. The players involved in the games will find out their punishments in the coming days, with heavy sanctions expected.
