 SAFA president Molefi Oliphant asked for probe into corruption |
Eight South African referees and linesmen charged with corruption and match fixing have been released on bail. The eight appeared in court on Monday over the allegations as news emerged that more arrests were in the pipeline.
A magistrate's court in Johannesburg granted the eight men bail of US $150 each and they were told to appear in court next month at separate dates.
Nine men were arrested Friday in a countrywide swoop following an intensive probe, codenamed "Operation Dribble," into the scandal, which has rocked the nation.
National police spokeswoman Sally de Beer was quoted as saying that more arrests were imminent and added that a ninth man was due to appear in court on Tuesday.
The scam was said to have been run within the country's Premier Soccer League (PSL) and First Division.
A cartel consisting of mainly referees and assistant referees allegedly took money in return for fixing the outcome of games.
Newspaper reports in South Africa claimed that bribes were paid for affecting the outcome of games, from US $1,500 for a PSL game to between US $4,500 and US $6,000 for cup matches.
The president of the South African Football Association, Molefi Oliphant, asked police in April to look into allegations of bribery and corruption.
Some 20 referees, players and officials were reportedly involved in allegedly accepting money from club officials to guarantee the team's win.
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