Siwelele FC under fire: SAFPU slams club’s ‘reckless’ management

The South African Football Players’ Union (SAFPU) has issued a scathing statement condemning Siwelele FC, following a series of controversial decisions by the newly formed Betway Premiership club. The union has accused the club of “reckless governance” and a “dangerous assault” on the rights of football professionals.

The public rebuke from SAFPU comes after a turbulent period for Siwelele, which saw them sack CEO Stan Matthews and assistant coach Andre Arendse. The club, which acquired the status of SuperSport United, has struggled to find its footing, with a dismal record of one win, one draw, and five losses in their opening seven matches.

In a statement on Monday, SAFPU questioned the legitimacy of the recent departures of Matthews and Arendse, citing the club chairman’s claim that the duo’s lives were “threatened on a daily basis.” The union has demanded immediate clarity on whether the sackings were consensual or if they were a “unilateral” breach of contract.

🚨𝐒𝐀𝐅𝐏𝐔 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐒𝐢𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐥𝐞 𝐅𝐂🚨#safpu#defendingplayers@UnplayableZA @SABC_Sport @eNCA @Siwelele_FC pic.twitter.com/eZDV36I8Gm

— South African Football Players Union (@SAFPU_Official) September 22, 2025

SAFPPU BLASTS SIWELELE FC’S BUS TRAVEL POLICY

Beyond the personnel changes, SAFPU also took aim at a newly implemented club policy that requires players to travel over 600 kilometers by bus. The union labeled the policy a “blatant assault” on the basic working conditions of professional footballers, arguing that such long road trips compromise player recovery, increase fatigue, and heighten the risk of injury.

“This approach is not ‘sustainability’; it is proof that financial due diligence was either neglected or irresponsibly managed when the club was acquired,” SAFPU’s statement read. “To impose policies that trample on health and dignity is to shift the burden of poor planning onto the backs of players.”

The union further warned that they would not stand by as the club, led by chairman Calvin Le John, allegedly disrespected the contracts of its employees.

SAFPU’s statement emphasised that the principle of clubs being “bought and sold as a going concern” was established to protect the livelihoods of players, and that contractual obligations should not be cast aside. The union’s public intervention signals a growing conflict between the club and the players’ representative body, as Siwelele FC continues to face scrutiny both on and off the pitch.

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