On the eve of a game that could either result in Kaizer Chiefs being crowned

2003/2004 Castle League champions or their triumph delayed until perhaps

Wednesday, Swallows managing director Leon Prins absolved disclosed that it

was purely his club's decision and not the PSL or Kaizer Chiefs.

When Swallows coach Gavin Hunt expressed his unhappiness at the change of

venue from the Rand where they are unbeaten this year, to the Johannesburg

Stadium, it started unsavory perceptions doing the rounds.

A few months ago, Black Leopards moved their game against Kaizer Chiefs from

Thohoyandou in the Limpopo, to the FNB Stadium, which at one stage was the

Chiefs home ground and the decision, raised quite many eyebrows.

However, this time, Swallows are adamant that Chiefs or the PSL had nothing

to do with the switch and in fact, Prins stressed that initially Kaizer

Chiefs managing director Kaizer Motaung was reluctant to agree to the

change.

"I wish to point out that the decision was taken purely because of potential

crowd trouble and nothing else," said Prins. "Kaizer Motaung was not keen

about the move because he felt it would be perceived as if he exerted

pressure on Swallows to give them an advantage.

"And the media also hinted that there could be a conspiracy of some sort

with the PSL aiding and abetting the whole thing. Nevertheless, this was a

Swallows initiative and I want to first thank the PSL, Orlando Pirates and

Kaizer Chiefs for their co-operation.

"This is a potentially explosive category "A" match and we cannot afford to

have anything going wrong in terms of crowd control. It is the end of the

month and people have been paid and so, many would be keen to watch this

game live.

"We could get a very big crowd but although we have had wonderful support

and the Rand, I think crowd control would be much easier at the Johannesburg

than at the Rand and so, we requested the PSL for a venue change.

"But first we had to get permission from Orlando Pirates and Dr Irvin Khoza

played a key role in helping us secure the venue. Then Chiefs were

reluctant, but eventually we made Kaizer aware of a potential crowd problem

and he agreed.

"However, the perception out there is that Chiefs are responsible for the

venue change which is untrue. We want to make it clear that this was a

Swallows initiative and not the PSL or Kaizer Chiefs."

Prins said even last week, the Santos game against Kaizer Chiefs had to be

delayed because of people arriving late and the PSL saw their (Swallows)

rationale and agreed to the venue change.