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Pirates slam Rosslee

Johannesburg - Orlando Pirates has lashed out at former assistant coach Craig Rosslee after Rosslee apologised for citicising the club following his departure last month.

Rosslee alleged in media reports that Bucs management had interfered with team selection last season.

He also said he had expected to take over as head coach from Ruud Krol, who parted ways with Pirates after securing three trophies, including the Absa Premierhsip title, in 2010/11.

Instead, Pirates appointed Julio Cesar Leal as Krol's replacement, and Rosslee took up the role as head coach of relegated outfit Mpumalanga Black Aces.

"Rosslee took it upon himself to make the harmful and defamatory comments he did regarding the internal affairs of the club while still employed by Orlando Pirates Football Club," the club said in a statement released late on Thursday.

Pirates said Rosslee's comments were "reckless and baseless" and he had not followed correct procedures in voicing his grievances.

The Buccaneers said Rosslee has apologised for the comments at a disciplinary hearing on Wednesday.

Rosslee, however, said he had been misquoted by the media.

"The articles were supposed to highlight my achievements at Orlando Pirates and were not meant to appear to be controversial about the club," Rosslee said in a statement.

"The articles were written in bad taste and I feel I have been misguided and misled into giving these interviews where often my words were twisted."

Despite the apology, Pirates said it would be forced to refer Rosslee's alleged misconduct to the Premier Soccer League, according to the league's code of rules and ethics.

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