Former SAFA Chief Executive Among Three Officials Banned.

Three South African football officials have been banned by Fifa following an investigation into international friendlies prior to the 2010 World Cup.

Leslie Sedibe, former South African Football Association chief executive, has been banned from football-related activities for five years.

He has also been fined Swiss Francs 20,000 (£14,100).

Sedibe referees' chiefs Steve Goddard and Adeel Carelse have each received two-year bans.

The sanctions relate to the proceedings against Lindile Kika, who last October was banned from all football-related activity for six years. Kika denied being involved in match-fixing.

A statement on Monday read: "The adjudicatory chamber decided that the former official Leslie Sedibe had infringed art. 13 (general rules of conduct), art. 15 (loyalty), and art. 18 (duty of disclosure, cooperation and reporting) of the FIFA code of ethics (FCE).

"The former officials Steve Goddard and Adeel Carelse were both also found guilty of violating articles 13, 15, and 18 of the FCE.

"All bans come into force immediately."

The South African Football Association has said it welcomes the sanctions.

"We are glad this matter has ultimately reached this stage since Safa reported the matter to Fifa almost 4 years ago," said Mr Poobalan Govindasamy, the Chairperson of the Safa Ethics Committee.

"It had dragged on too long for our liking and was starting to have an impact on us as an association and our valued stakeholders.

"At Safa we have a zero-tolerance policy for any corrupt activity which impacts negatively on this beautiful game and for that reason we welcome strong measures against any individual who is found guilty of such offenses."

Source: BBC.