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I will today write to the President of the South Africa Football Association (Safa), Dr Danny Jordaan, urging him to reverse the association's decision to ban City Press football writer, Mr Timothy Molobi, from attending their press conference on the friendly match between Bafana Bafana and Cote D'Ivoire.

Mr. Molobi says that he has been banned from entering SAFA's premises as a direct result of the association's displeasure with a story he wrote in the City Press on Sunday.

The story details allegations, made by disgruntled former Safa head of referees Adeel Carelse, of manipulation by Dr Jordaan of a match-fixing investigation in order to advance his presidential ambitions.

If SAFA feels strongly that Mr. Molobi's article was inaccurate, it is incumbent upon them to present their version of facts and seek recourse through available channels, such as South African National Editors Forum (SANEF).

It is completely unacceptable for SAFA to censure and victimise journalists for doing their work.

It is also unacceptable that SAFA thinks they can cherry-pick which journalists can report on their affairs.

This own goal by SAFA is embarrassing and stains the new leadership's current successes with the national football teams.

SAFA must do the right thing and unban Timothy Molobi from attending their press conferences. It is not too late to show that SAFA and Dr Jordaan are committed to media freedom in South Africa.

Issued by DA