SEDIBENG.- Tensions have erupted between the Emfuleni Local Football Association (ELFA) Executive Committee and its affiliated clubs.

This followed an exchange of emails between the ELFA and clubs over the convening of an Annual General Meeting (AGM). The clubs demand an immediate AGM to be held to address the executive committee’s alleged failures, including not paying prize money to the winners and poor governance.

The clubs collectively signed and submitted a petition to the executive committee, demanding the immediate convening of the AGM. However, the ELFA executive’s response has sparked anger and disappointment among club representatives.

Sedibeng Ster Sport has an email, reportedly sent by one of the executive members.

To make matters worse, the dispute has taken on a racial tone. In one of the emails, an executive member warned one of the club’s representatives to stop “pushing a racist campaign” and instructed them not to contact him on his private email, claiming the individual was a non-member of ELFA.

This response has since angered the clubs’ representatives, who felt that the executive member missed the whole point as they chose to play a race card in response to their letter.

Sedibeng Ster Sport has learned that the clubs intend to escalate this matter to the high football authority, following this response to their demand.

“We are very disappointed with this response, and this has nothing to do with race or individuals. The letter was signed by all clubs, yet the executive member chose to attack an individual. We are not going to back off. This is our football, and without the clubs, there is no association.  Executive committee members must just read their own constitution, and they will understand. This shows how ignorant they are when it comes to football governance,” said one club’s representative.

Sedibeng Ster Sport will follow up with the ELFA executive committee to hear their side of the story regarding their response to the email about the racial issue.