There have been comments in the media regarding supposed bribery and corruption during last season’s playoffs. From generalized comments dealing with all four clubs which took part more recent articles have referred to this club (Mpumalanga Black Aces) by name. The articles were then repeated by other journalists and the story allowed to grow.

Not only is there no truth whatsoever in the suggestion of Aces having taken part, we have not been involved in anything like that and no one has ever suggested to anyone at the club that something like that has happened.

As Aces, we are far from afraid from having things like these investigated. We have no wish to see allegations like this worked under the carpet and will encourage anyone with any information at all to refer this information to the Premier Soccer League, to other authorities if they do not want to go there and even to this club, should they want us to investigate it.

Of course no one has bothered to inform us of exactly what is being said and that has sadly become the standard modus operandi of football journalists of late. It is difficult to understand why this happens. We know that football is part of the entertainment industry, but surely things like truth, verifying the facts, and thinking things through before simply defaming others for the sake of it, should be important. We must obviously say that our rights are reserved.

We will ensure that these things are fully investigated and we will establish where the stories have emanated from. When we do, we will take steps against those who are responsible.

It goes without saying that we do not intend to respond to questions and comments about an issue, which with the greatest respect is no more than malicious gossip.