Former Kaizer Chiefs coach Ernest Middendorp has taken his frustrations to the Premier Soccer League after once again failing to help Cape Town Spurs keep their second-tier status, just a season after relegation from the top one last season.
The tactician has questioned the governance and integrity of the Motsepe Foundation Championship after the Urban Warriors struggled to a 15th-place finish in the concluded season. Middendorp argues that there are external factors that are negatively contributing to the growth of the game.
He further insists the players are frustrated with the proceedings and that the reputation of the league is being undermined.
‘Players are demoralised'
“To the leadership of the PSL, Safa, and the broader SA football community. I am writing this letter as a football professional with 31 years of experience and an advocate for fair competition, integrity, and the transformative power of soccer,” he said in his open letter to the league administrators.
“It is with deep disappointment and concern that I must address the systemic issues that have affected the National First Division (NFD), both on and off the field.
“It is crucial to acknowledge that the integrity of any league depends on the credibility of its administration and officiating. When these foundational elements falter, the ripple effects spread across every facet of the league, tarnishing its reputation and undermining its purpose. The players, who train tirelessly to showcase their talents, find themselves demoralised by external factors that overshadow their performances.”
‘Our competition is compromised'
“The NFD, meant to be a fair and merit-driven platform, is plagued by malversation [professional misconduct], manipulation, and political interference. Match officials frequently demonstrate questionable impartiality and competence, hinting at influence or even fixing,” he continued.
“Such issues aren’t isolated but part of a larger problem. Our competition is compromised, leaving honest clubs disillusioned while irregular practices go unchecked. “Decisions made behind closed doors, whether about licensing, eligibility, discipline, or favouritism, imply that power and influence outweigh merit and rules. This undermines trust among league members, fans, sponsors, and future generations who see football as a path forward.
“This isn’t about one team, season, or incident. Without trust in our competition, progress and unity are impossible. Action is needed to save honest professionals [players, coaches, managers, officials] and preserve the game’s integrity,” Middendorp concluded.
