SARU inquiry finds no proof of match-fixing in Boland club rugby
The South African Rugby Union (SARU) on Monday announced that an investigation into allegations of attempts to fix the result of matches in Boland club rugby had not found proof to support them.
SARU set up an inquiry following the laying of a complaint by a Boland referee, Josef Baadjies.
He alleged that Mr Ivan Pekeur, the former Boland referee manager (and current Boland Rugby Union president), had attempted to influence referees to fix the outcome of five matches in the Boland club leagues.
At no time was there a suggestion that the attempt was being made for financial gain.
SARU appointed attorney Kevin Kiewitz to investigate the claims and determine whether any person had transgressed the SARU and/or IRB Code of Conduct.
A total of 13 potential witnesses including referees, referee committee members and Boland staff were questioned in the production of a 114-page report that was presented to Jurie Roux, the SARU CEO.
The report concluded: “It is evident from my evaluation of the evidence in respect of the identified matches collected from referees and individuals, that there is no real substantiation for the allegations. It is therefore my finding that in respect of the matches identified match fixing cannot be proved.”
Roux said: “Allegations of match fixing are extremely serious and we have conducted a very thorough investigation in this case – the first such claim I am aware of in South African rugby.
“No proof could be found to support the allegations made by Mr Baadjies, but that does not mean that we are indifferent to the threat. If anyone has proof of attempts to fix the results of matches they should contact their local provincial rugby union, immediately.”
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