Brian Mandela's coach in hot soup as TS Galaxy sue Sundowns' Mokwena for defamation

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Brian Mandela's coach in hot soup as TS Galaxy sue Sundowns' Mokwena for defamation

Festus Chuma 14:00 - 22.05.2024

TS Galaxy has taken Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena to court over alleged defamatory comments about Galaxy coach Sead Ramovic.

Brian Mandela's coach at South Africa Premier Soccer League side Mamelodi Sundowns, Rulani Mokwena, is facing legal action as TS Galaxy has taken him to court over alleged defamatory comments about his counterpart, Sead Ramovic.

The controversy stems from an incident in late April when TS Galaxy suffered a 3-0 defeat to Sundowns at Loftus Stadium in the DStv Premiership. 

Following the match, Mokwena claimed there was a conspiracy to injure Sundowns' midfielder Bongani Zungu. 

The player had to be taken off the pitch limping and required three stitches on his ankle after a tackle by Galaxy's winger, Orebotse Mongae, who received a red card.

Mokwena, clearly upset, said in a television interview that he had received information suggesting Ramovic had instructed Galaxy players to deliberately hurt Zungu. 

South African public broadcaster SABC Sport has reported seeing a summons to the High Court with Galaxy and Ramovic as the plaintiffs and Mokwena as the defendant. 

The Rockets reiterated their initial request for an apology from Mokwena for his remarks during the post-match interview on April 29, now also seeking damages for his failure to respond.

“The impugning statements comprise untrue and defamatory statements pertaining to the Club and is indeed per se defamatory of the Club, its players, Head Coach, technical team, players, staff and management as well as its supporters,” read the document sent by Galaxy to Sundowns and Mokwena last month.

“In the circumstances, we are instructed to demand, as we hereby do, that Mr. Mokwena and, by extension, Sundowns immediately retract the impugning statements, and publish an unconditional, prominent and appropriate public apology (in the terms agreed to by the Club) in both videographic and written forms, which should be prominently published on all prominent football social and other media platforms (including that of Sundowns), be it print and/or electronic," the document adds.

Adding to the drama, TS Galaxy approached the Johannesburg High Court just hours before their league match against Sundowns at Mbombela Stadium.

The outcome of this legal battle remains to be seen but it has undoubtedly cast a shadow over the match with both teams now contending not only on the pitch but also in the courtroom.

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