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Ferreira denies voting deal
29/01/2008 10:26 - (SA)
Johannesburg - The president of the Golden Lions Rugby Union, Professor Jannie Ferreira, has denied he made a deal regarding a position at SA Rugby during the appointment of the new national rugby coach.
The media statement issued following a chairmen's council meeting of the Golden Lions Rugby Union on Monday night, was in response to an article in a Sunday newspaper after the appointment of Peter de Villiers as the new Springbok coach.
According to media reports, De Villiers carried the president council vote 10-9 to oust favourite Heyneke Meyer as national coach. Ferreira was said to have been one of the earlier backers of Meyer who had changed their mind during the voting process, and it was intimated that Ferreira had done so in order to obtain the backing as deputy president of the SA Rugby Union.
Ferreira emphasised he was asked to make himself available for a position at SA Rugby at the end of last year, but that due to personal circumstances he had made the decision not to make himself available to be a contender in the upcoming elections.
The full statement:
"In light of news reports recently circulated, the Golden Lions Rugby Union would like to make the following clear:
"Professor Jannie Ferreira, president of the Golden Lions Rugby Union, made absolutely no deals with anybody regarding a position at SA Rugby during the process of appointing the new Springbok head coach. Although he was approached towards the end of last year to make himself available for election, due to personal circumstances he has already made the decision not to be a contender in these upcoming elections. Ferreira is not available for any position at SA Rugby and is committed to the Lions and the Golden Lions Rugby Union.
"The Golden Lions Rugby Union gave Professor Ferreira no mandate whatsoever (It was not deemed necessary) on how to make a selection of the new Springbok head coach at the recruitment meeting. He was appointed to this committee by the presidents? council. He accepted the decision of the selection committee of which he was a member under a written agreement of confidentiality and was ethically bound by that decision when the voting took place in the presidents' council.
"I trust that the above points clarify any misunderstanding."
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Rugby
