‘Kadodia To Blame For Maritzburg’s Relegation’

After Maritzburg United chairman Farook Kadodia sent out a strongly worded statement, blaming his players for the club’s relegation, Kadodia himself has now been blamed for not taking responsibility in the club’s demise.

Touch Afrika Consultants, a leading sports management and consultancy firm based in Pietermaritzburg, sent out a strongly worded statement, where it expressed its disappointment and disapproval of the recent comments made by Kadodia.

The Team of Choice was relegated last Wednesday after they failed to beat Cape Town Spurs in the crucial final game of the PSL Promotion Play-offs at Harry Gwala Stadium.

Afterwards Kadodia was fuming, saying the inability of scoring a goal and questionable attitude has come at the cost of R50 million, adding he felt betrayed by the a few individuals whose display was questionable.  

“Mr. Kadodia’s attempt to shift the blame onto the players for the club’s relegation is not only misguided but also reflects a lack of accountability on the part of the management,” said Touch Africa in a statement.

“It is unfortunate that rather than taking responsibility for their own actions and decisions, the chairman has chosen to deflect attention onto the players, who have dedicated their time and effort to represent Maritzburg United.

“It is essential to remember that football is a team sport, and the success or failure of a club is the collective responsibility of all stakeholders, including the management, coaching staff, and players. Blaming the players in such a public manner not only undermines their hard work and commitment but also damages their professional reputation.

“As a prominent sports consultancy firm, Touch Afrika Consultants believes in promoting a culture of mutual respect, fairness, and accountability within the sports industry. We strongly condemn any attempts to single out and scapegoat individuals for the shortcomings of the entire organization. Such behavior not only undermines team spirit but also erodes trust and unity within the club.

“We call upon Mr. Kadodia and the Maritzburg United management to reconsider their approach and to engage in constructive dialogue with all stakeholders involved. This includes acknowledging their own role in the club’s relegation and working towards implementing necessary changes and improvements for the future.

“Furthermore, Touch Afrika Consultants urges all sports organizations and officials to uphold the principles of fair play, integrity, and professionalism. It is through collective efforts and a united front that we can ensure the growth and success of South African football.”

Maritzburg’s relationship with the Msunduzi Municipality has also been on the rocks, as they were understood to be unhappy that Kadodia keeps on selling the club’s best players without seemingly reinvesting the money in the club. There was a time when Kadodia did not receive a cent from the municipality because of the very same thing.

Maritzburg’s demise ended 15 years in the top flight and they will feature in the Motsepe Foundation Championship next season.