TS Galaxy threaten Rulani Mokwena with legal action
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The Rockets suffered a 3-0 defeat to the DStv Premiership log leaders and finished the match a man down after winger Orebotse Mongae was red carded for a tackle on Zungu, who then needed help to leave the pitch.
READ: Sead Ramovic puts Mamelodi Sundowns defeat down to lack of depth
Mokwena, during his television interview, claimed he’d received information prior to the fixture at Loftus Stadium that Galaxy players had been instructed by their coach Sead Ramovic to target Zungu because of a similar incident in October last year that led to striker Bernard Parker suffering a broken leg.
Coincidentally, Parker made his return last night in what was his first appearance since the injury following a long recovery and could have scored, but his penalty in the dying minutes of the match was saved by goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.
Galaxy have taken offence to Mokwena’s comments and written a strongly worded letter to the Sundowns coach, head of legal Yogesh Singh as well as sporting director Flemming Berg earlier today, 30 April.
SABC Sport is in possession of the document.
“The impugning statements comprise untrue and defamatory statements pertaining to the Club and is indeed per se defamatory of the Club, its players, Head Coach, technical team, players, staff and management as well as its supporters,” it reads in part.
It continues further.
“The impugning statements were clearly made publicly with malice and intention to defame our entire Club. Furthermore, the impugning statements were intended at exposing our Head Coach, players, technical team, staff and management to the risk of public violence.
“In the circumstances, we are instructed to demand, as we hereby do, that Mr. Mokwena and, by extension, Sundowns immediately retract the impugning statements, and publish an unconditional, prominent and appropriate public apology (in the terms agreed to by the Club) in both videographic and written forms, which should be prominently published on all prominent football social and other media platforms (including that of Sundowns), be it print and/or electronic.
“The apology hereof must be published within 3 (three) business days from the date of this letter.”
Galaxy have insisted that should Mokwena not adhere to the demands within the stipulated time period then The Rockets will approach the High Court, throw the law book at him and sue the Sundowns coach for “substantial damages”.
The full letter is six pages long and makes it clear that Galaxy are not bluffing.