THOHOYANDOU - A well-known referee, Fanie Mashinini from Gauteng, briefly appeared in the Thohoyandou Magistrate’s Court on Monday in connection with the match fixing scandal that is rocking football in the country.

Mashinini was arrested during the Operation Dribble clampdown, aimed at cleaning South African Football of all forms of dishonesty. Mashinini is part of the nineteen referees who were arrested for corruption and bribery in the PSL matches.

It is alleged that he was possibly involved in match fixing or bribery in a game played in the Limpopo Province. He was granted bail of R5 000 and will appear in court in Gauteng where other referees, assistant referees and match officials will possibly be prosecuted.

Soccer lovers in Thohoyandou told Mirror that they support the aims of Operation Dribble, because it will send a message to referees and officials to keep sports clean from corruption.