Johannesburg - Next weekend’s Macufe Cup is in jeopardy after the SA Football Association (Safa) refused to sanction the event and appoint match officials for the annual showpiece.
The popular competition features Bloemfontein Celtic against Kaizer Chiefs.
But this year’s contest may not happen as the organisers have allegedly failed to deliver on their promises.
City Press is in possession of the letter from Safa Free State, which vetoed the application to stage the match.
“Based on our meeting resolution ... we have resolved that the 2016 match would be organised in partnership with Safa Free State and the resolution of the meeting was/is not complied with,” the letter reads.
“The staging of the match between Bloemfontein Celtic and Kaizer Chiefs in our province is not in compliance with article 72 of the statutes which read as follows: The authority for organising matches and competitions between teams affiliated to different regional football associations, between leagues and/or club teams lies solely with Safa Free State.
“No match or competition shall take place without the prior permission of the Safa provincial executive committee. In addition, permission from the relevant province may be required in accordance with the Safa regulations.
“We did not receive an application from your company to organise or facilitate the arrangements of this match and it is contrary to our statutes, and therefore the permission to play this match within our jurisdiction is not granted.
“We are therefore unable to provide match officials because the match is not sanctioned as per our statutes.”
The organisers had requested five match officials for the game.
Safa Free State president Mzwandile Maforvane earlier confirmed they had rejected the request to supply match officials.
Maforvane said the organisers had failed to fulfil the promises they made last year.
“We have engaged with them to say that since they are making money out of this event, some of it should go towards development in the area.
“They agreed, but never came to the party. We want to see the region benefiting from this event, not just individuals,” said Maforvane.
He said they also wanted clubs to have coaching clinics with the locals.
“All we are saying is that those who are coming to play here should try to impart their knowledge by holding
coaching clinics with our youngsters.
“They cannot just come and take money and go.”
Ben Moseme, who is part of the team of organisers, downplayed the seriousness of the issue, saying they were still going to engage with Safa.
Moseme said he would only comment after the meeting with Safa.