After receiving what appeared to be a slap on the wrist following their sentence for not honouring two PSL fixtures, it has emerged Moroka Swallows also faced expulsion from the PSL and here's why they survived that fate.
Swallows were finally sanctioned by the PSL DC on Thursday after they pleaded guilty to charges of misconduct and bringing the League into disrepute for failure to honour fixtures against Mamelodi Sundowns and Golden Arrows.
The Birds were fined R1 million, with R600, 000 suspended for a period of 24 months and forfeited three points with a 3-0 scorelines in those fixtures against Sundowns and Arrows.
Cape Town Spurs were vocal in their letter to the PSL and 31 member clubs that they believed Swallows should be expelled from the League, as they "made a mockery" out of arguably the best run league on the continent.
Read: 'How I discovered Andile Jali'
PSL prosecutor Advocate Zola Majavu has confirmed that suspension or expulsion from the League was one of the possible outcomes from the DC hearing but Swallows survived such harsh punishment courtesy of their plea bargain.
Majavu also confirmed that the Birds would certainly face expulsion should they be found guilty of a similar offense again.
"As an aside, the DC further cautioned Moroka Swallows about the perilous route and fate that may befall them should they reoffend," Majavu said in an audio statement sent to the media.
"In that one of the competence sanctions could have easily been a suspension from the League or a total expulsion from the League.
"However, the DC recognized that they pleaded guilty at the first available opportunity and that was accepted in their favour as indicative of remorse," he said.
Read: Polokwane City brace as top Prem teams begin Appollis chase
"The DC further accepted their undertaking that they have learned their lesson, they've put measures in place to ensure that a repeat of this unfortunate incident that could potentially damage the brand of the League is not repeated," he added.
There are reports that Maritzburg United are interested in buying the Premiership status of Swallows and the threat of expulsion should they reoffend could make the Soweto giants consider that option, should their financial woes continue.
