The final ruling in a marathon case involving Kaizer Chiefs and the football publication Soccer Laduma was handed down on Monday, 14 November 2016.

After having had several issues with the soccer publication over the years, Amakhosi finally decided to lodge a formal complaint against Soccer Laduma with the South African Press Council because of a fake interview with our player Lucky Baloyi, published in the edition of 18 November 2015.

Monday’s ruling was handed down by the Appeals Panel of the Press Council.

The ruling of Judge BM Ngoepe’s led Appeals Panel confirmed Kaizer Chiefs’ position – that Soccer Laduma had never interviewed Lucky Baloyi (for the interview published on 18 November 2015).

The Appeals Panel ordered that Soccer Laduma must apologise to Lucky Baloyi and Kaizer Chiefs for publishing the fake interview in the edition of 18 November 2015.

This apology must be accompanied by a statement, indicating that the Appeals Panel of the Press Council has found that the interview with Lucky Baloyi did not take place and that the alleged interview has to be withdrawn.

Soccer Laduma also has to publish an apology in their publication and this must be given the same prominence as the fake interview received at the time.

Kaizer Chiefs marketing director, Jessica Motaung, reacted, “We welcome the ruling. We always stress the importance of ethical journalism and responsibility to our supporters. Again, we are happy with the ruling and the truth is now out there.”

The full ruling is available on the website of the Press Council:

FAKE INTERVIEW- IT NEVER HAPPENED AMAKHOSI FAMILY!
KC welcomes the ruling from the Press Ombudsman, we believe in responsible journalism pic.twitter.com/BiCQhmU3sm
— Kaizer Chiefs (@KaizerChiefs) November 15, 2016