TP Mazembe owner Moïse Katumbi has released a statement denying sabotage on the part of the club regarding the SABC’s coverage of the match against Orlando Pirates.

Pirates travelled to DR Congo for a Champions League clash against Mazembe, losing 1-0 but advancing 3-2 on aggregate.

However, the event was described as a “terrifying experience” by Safa.

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Safa’s head of delegation Elvis Shishana, who is also a member of the Safa National Executive Committee, stated earlier today: “It was very clear from the beginning that they [Mazembe] had an agenda, hence they did not want anyone to record the match. It is difficult to explain why millions of fans were denied a chance to watch this match.”

The club hit back at the allegations on their website.

Katumbi also denies the allegations, in a statement that reads:

“It must be stated that we are a law-abiding club and that believes in fair play.

“All the international journalists that travelled for the match and were duly accredited were ushered into the press tribune were they covered the match unhampered.

“The media reports that journalists from the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) were arrested after the match are totally unfounded and false.

“There is no record of any arrests and the club has also verified these accusations with the South African consular in Katanga province who are not aware of any journalists from South Africa being arrested.

“In fact, journalists from SABC even had an interview with the TP Mazembe president on Monday May 6th 2013.

“We trust that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) appointed very competent match officials for this match.

“We therefore appeal to our brothers and friends from Orlando Pirates to wait for the match commissioner’s report to address issues that are of a technical nature.

“Further, there was no sabotage whatsoever on the part of TP Mazembe for the match not to be screened on SABC.

“The truth is that there was a technical fault on the part of the Congolese television station that was supposed to relay the feed to SABC. As a result, the match was not even on Congolese TV.

“TP Mazembe and Orlando Pirates enjoy a very good and warm relationship which also extends to the two countries’ people.”
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