Orlando Pirates Found Guilty by Disciplinary Committee, Will Face Sanctions Over Tim Sukazi Incident

• Tim Sukazi welcomed a decision by the Disciplinary Committee that found Orlando Pirates guilty
• Orlando Pirates have been found guilty of bringing the game into disrepute over their treatment of Tim Sukazi
• Orlando Pirates will now face sanctions on 3 May by the Premier Soccer League's Disciplinary Committee

Orlando Pirates have been found guilty of bringing the game into disrepute by the Premier Soccer League’s Disciplinary Committee.

The Buccaneers were found guilty of the charges brought against them after ‘unreasonably’ denying TS Galaxy Chairman, Tim Sukazi, entry into the Orlando Stadium last year.

In a video that went viral, security officials outside the stadium could be seen manhandling Sukazi and preventing him from entering, despite him having accreditation.

Security officials told the TS Galaxy chairman that they were executing an order, eNCA reported. At the time of the incident, Sukazi described it as a disgrace.

Pirates were then charged and were called before the Disciplinary Committee (DC). Premier Soccer League Prosecutor Zola Majavu confirmed that the DC had now found the Buccaneers guilty, Soccer Laduma reported.

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"Orlando Pirates was found to have brought the league, the game, SAFA, CAF, FIFA and the sponsors into disrepute. Having been so convicted, the next stage is for parties to address the committee with the appropriate sanction,” Majavu said.

The Buccaneers will appear again on 3 May for the DC to make a final decision on the appropriate sanction.

Speaking on MetroFM’s Sports Show after the ruling was made, Sukazi praised the decision.

“I welcome the verdict to find Pirates guilty of misconduct. I was taken aback by their not guilty plea. The evidence was there for all to see. Their actions were deplorable and deserve a hefty sanction because it was embarrassing for the game," he said.

Orlando Pirates' Thandi Merafe has been arrested and released after TS Galaxy debacle

The matter of Tim Sukazi's assault is proving to be a messy one for Orlando Pirates, having also turned into a criminal investigation.

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As reported by Sports Brief, club media officer Thandi Merafe was arrested and charged for common assault in the aftermath of the drama ahead of the Buccaneers' clash against TS Galaxy last month.

Merafe, who was released on free bail after her arrest, was accused of assaulting her TS Galaxy counterpart Minenhle Mkhize in the run-up to the moment Galaxy owner Tim Sukazi was manhandled and denied entry to Orlando Stadium's field and inner facilities.