Black Leopards Boss David Thidiela Threatens FIFA Escalation Over PSL Governance Issues, Calls on Minister McKenzie for Urgent Intervention
Johannesburg – Black Leopards FC chairman and founder David Thidiela has vowed to take his complaints about alleged abuse of power in the Premier Soccer League straight to world football body FIFA if Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie and the Confederation of African Football fail to step in. Thidiela has sent a detailed report to the minister, highlighting what he sees as serious conflicts of interest and poor leadership in the PSL. He insists the league should be run by neutral people not tied to any team, pointing fingers at acting CEO Mato Madlala and chairman Irvin Khoza for running things in ways that hurt fairness.
This bold move comes as South African football faces growing calls for change, with fans and clubs worried about how the league is managed. Thidiela’s stand could spark bigger talks on making sure the PSL serves all teams equally, especially smaller ones like his.
Thidiela’s Key Grievances with PSL Leadership
Thidiela is deeply unhappy with how the PSL is led, claiming top officials hold too much sway because of their links to clubs. He has slammed Madlala, who has been acting CEO for over 10 years while also serving as CEO of Golden Arrows, saying this mix creates unfair play. “Acting CEO is conflicted, she can’t sit so long, things are not going well in soccer, there are so many things which are not going well which I will break down when the time is right, that is the reason why I wrote to the sports minister. If we don’t get joy, we will go to CAF, from CAF we will go to Fifa, she was not supposed to be there. Neutral people must run this league like before, the people who are not attached, who are not aligned to any team,” Thidiela said.
He has also accused Khoza of acting like a dictator, making decisions that favour some over others. In a radio chat, Thidiela said the league has lost its way under this setup, leading to uneven chances for clubs. His report to McKenzie asks for quick steps to fix these problems and bring in outside leaders to keep things fair.
Thidiela’s push echoes worries from other club owners and fans who feel the PSL’s rules sometimes bend for big teams. Smaller sides like Black Leopards, now in the Motsepe Foundation Championship after relegation, often struggle against what they see as biased calls.
Background on Thidiela’s Long Fight for Fair Play
David Thidiela, a key figure in South African football since founding Black Leopards in 1983, has a history of speaking out against what he views as wrongs in the game. His club, based in Limpopo, has bounced between divisions but built a loyal fan base. Thidiela has faced his own troubles, like a 2019 ban from football for five years over match-fixing claims, which he fought and got cut down.
His latest stand builds on past clashes with the PSL. In 2023, he called out what he saw as unfair treatment during relegation battles, and now he wants the minister to probe deeper. By going to McKenzie, Thidiela hopes to use government power to force changes, especially since sports bodies fall under national oversight.
The PSL has not yet responded to his report, but past rows show they often defend their setup as fair and rule-based. Madlala, who stepped in as acting CEO after Danny Jordaan’s move to SAFA, has focused on growing the women’s league and fixing finances, but critics like Thidiela say her dual roles create bias.
Potential Escalation to CAF and FIFA: What It Could Mean
If McKenzie does not act, Thidiela plans to take his case to the Confederation of African Football and then FIFA. This could lead to probes into PSL governance, looking at rules on conflicts and fair play. FIFA has stepped in before on African leagues, like suspending Kenya in 2022 over meddling.
For South African football, this might bring reforms but could also cause short-term chaos, like holds on funds or bans. Fans worry it distracts from on-field action, but many back Thidiela’s call for a level field.
Minister McKenzie, known for straight talk since taking office in 2024, has tackled issues like boxing mismanagement. His response could set the tone for how government handles sports gripes.
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