HARARE – Premier Soccer League (PSL) title contenders Scottland FC have issued a firm rejection of social media claims suggesting they are attempting to manipulate the league title race. The allegations arose after the club’s owner, Scott Sakupwanya, donated a substantial US$100,000 to league leaders Simba Bhora.
The donation was intended to assist Simba Bhora in their preparations for the upcoming CAF Champions League match against Nsingizini Hotspurs. However, with only six games remaining in the 2025 season, the generous gesture was met with immediate public speculation that it was a covert effort to influence the title’s outcome.
Scottland FC was quick to respond, releasing an official statement to address the controversy.
The statement read: “We have been made aware of social media claims that the Scottland FC president, Pedzai Sakupwanya, has given Simba Bhora FC US$100,000 under the guise of CAF Champions League sponsorship, with the insinuation that this is a way of buying the PSL title. This is completely false.”
The club highlighted the irony of the situation, noting that they had just played against Simba Bhora on MatchDay 28 and were disappointed with the 0-0 result, which kept them in second place. “If we wanted to manipulate the PSL title race, we could have done so in that game and gone to the top of the league table,” the statement pointed out.
The statement clarified that the financial assistance for Simba Bhora is part of a pre-existing sponsorship arrangement with Betterbrands, a company also owned by Sakupwanya.
“Part of the package includes ensuring that, as Zimbabwe’s representative in Africa, they are adequately resourced for their participation in the CAF Champions League,” the club explained. “This has nothing to do with Scottland FC and the ongoing PSL title race, which involves up to four other teams. We stand for Fair Play and will fight for the league title on the field of play.”
This latest controversy adds to a history of public skepticism surrounding Scottland FC. The team has faced informal allegations of match manipulation since their time in the Northern Region Soccer League, and their promotion to the top flight was met with criticism from some fans who believed they unfairly beat out rivals, MWOS.
Scottland FC concluded its statement by extending best wishes to Simba Bhora for their upcoming CAF Champions League campaign, as they carry the Zimbabwean flag on the continental stage.
Source | Soccer365