Marumo Gallants have suspended head coach Alexandre Lafitte. With 12 matches without a win and a looming relegation scrap, the club have opted for a "disciplinary process" to address ongoing struggles on and off the pitch. Photo: Backpagepix
Image: Backpagepix
In a dramatic turn of events, struggling South African football club and Betway Premiership outit Marumo Gallants has announced the suspension of their French head coach Alexandre Lafitte.
The decision, revealed in a statement on Monday, is pending the club’s “internal disciplinary process.”
The suspension comes on the heels of a disappointing season characterised by a dismal performance, as Gallants have failed to secure a victory in their last 12 matches, including a recent 1-0 home defeat against Durban City on Sunday.
Their current form leaves them precariously positioned in 14th place in the Betway Premiership, teetering just above the relegation zone solely on goal difference.
The club’s statement indicated that the suspension was prompted by, “issues relating to a failure to comply with contractual duties,” a sentiment that echoes the mounting frustration among the club’s management regarding the team’s performance.
“The club takes matters of governance, professionalism, and accountability seriously,” the statement read, emphasising the leadership’s commitment to upholding high standards.
As tensions run high, the Gallants’ management is actively seeking solutions and has announced that an acting head coach will be appointed shortly.
This decision marks a significant shift in the club’s approach to addressing its ongoing struggles, deemed necessary amid growing concerns about the team’s dire on-pitch situation.
Compounding the club’s woes is the ongoing legal trouble faced by owner Abram Sello. Gallants are embroiled in a court dispute with the former Moroka Swallows owners, who allege Sello has failed to pay the required funds to purchase the franchise ahead of the highly anticipated 2024/25 Premier Soccer League season.
This financial uncertainty could further complicate the club’s efforts to stabilise its league performance.