Following a viral video where two Orlando Pirates players were embroiled in betting allegations, KickOff looks at the betting scope for professional footballers in the country.
Bucs were quick to release a statement a video surfaced of their players, including goalkeeper Sipho Chaine, who appeared vividly, were discussing putting a R600 bet on a Manchester United v Arsenal fixture.
The Soweto giants deemed the incident as a "light-hearted moment among teammates purporting to have placed a bet on an English Premiership match".
Pirates took a strong stance and acknowledged that sports betting is prohibited for professional footballers and that they have addressed the matter and have instituted their own investigations in line with the club's handbook that "all players are signatory to".
With the rise of sports betting globally and to protect the integrity of football, FIFA have put rules on betting and gambling activities, which bar players, all officials, referees and agents from participating in such activities, as part of their Code of Ethics.
According to FIFA Code of Ethics, players, all officials, referees and agents cannot take part in sports betting or gambling, either directly or indirectly, or have any interests with entities, companies or organizations promoting such activities.
And so, for instance, persons bound by the FIFA Code of Ethics, as explained above, are also prohibited from placing bets through a third party, such as giving someone money to bet on their behalf.
And such persons involved in football are also prohibited from sharing inside information to gain advantage by placing bets through a third party.
This website understands that football associations have the jurisdiction to do investigations and prosecution regarding such matters and, in so far as SAFA is concerned, they have fully aligned with the FIFA Code of Ethics regarding their integrity policy.
An integrity investigation and guilty finding as per Article 26 of the FIFA Code of Ethics can lead to a fine of at least CHF 100, 000 (+-R2 million) and a ban of not taking part in any football-related activities for a maximum period of three years.
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