The Premier Soccer League (PSL) suspended Black Leopards chairman Mr David Thidiela from their executive committee (Exco) last Thursday. The decision to suspend Thidiela was taken at a meeting of the PSL's board of governors.
Thidiela allegedly threatened referee Victor Hlungwani and made tribal references after Leopards' 1-0 defeat to Bloemfontein Celtic at Thohoyandou Stadium a fortnight ago. The board of governors then resolved to place Thidiela on precautionary suspension from the PSL's executive committee until the matter has been resolved.
In a letter addressed to Pres Cyril Ramaphosa, Hlungwani, PSL league chairman Mr Irvin Khoza, Limpopo Premier Stanley Mathabatha, Safa, the PSL, the South African House of Traditional Leaders in Limpopo, the South African Human Rights Commission, Minister of Sport Tokozile Xasa, and his club, Thidiela says "sorry ... It was not my intention to cause any harm or inconvenience".
"In retrospect, I believe the situation resulted from my view that some decisions which the referee made were not acceptable.While this is by no means an excuse for utterances to Hlungwani, I would like to give clarity. My reference to Hlungwani as Shangaan from Giyani was in a brotherhood context and not meant to be derogatory in any way," writes Thidiela.
He adds that he meant to convey to Hlungwane that, as a person who is from a neighbouring region in very close proximity, he should be well aware "of the struggle the people of this area have waged over the last 10 years or so to have a Premiership club that represents their aspirations".
He says he understands how his comments could have been "misconstrued, as I was highly emotional and the language I used was unacceptable".
Thidiela also adds in the letter that he has apologised privately to Hlungwani as well.