Former soccer referee gets four year jail sentence for corruption, perjury

Former referee Clifford Malgas was sentenced on Friday to four years in prison for corruption and perjury, the SA Football Association said.

Malgas' perjury conviction was related to his role in attempted match fixing during the 2011 Safa Second Division play-offs in Cape Town, Safa said.

With neither of the sentences suspended, Malgas is set to serve an effective four years behind bars.

The Belville Commercial Crime Court in Cape Town convicted Malgas on two counts of corruption and perjury for colluding with former Bafana Bafana assistant coach Phil Setshedi, who was found guilty of match-fixing in 2013.

The magistrate said the act of compromising the integrity of sport was a very serious offence that warranted a custodial sentence.

Safa president Danny Jordaan said no stone would be left unturned in rooting out corruption in football.

"We welcome this custodial sentence as it sends a strong message to criminals that they do not have a place in our sport.

"Safa has adopted a zero-tolerance to any form of crime and anyone harbouring such evil tendencies be warned," Jordaan said.