The Central Gauteng Lions have terminated Beyers Swanepoel’s contract with immediate effect following his controversial exit during the One-Day Cup final.
The Joburg-based union confirmed the decision on Thursday, ending Swanepoel’s deal a year early by “mutual agreement”.
The seamer, who has apologised for his actions, remains under investigation by CSA for bringing the game into disrepute.
Swanepoel left the field during the final against the Northerns Titans – without a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) – to catch a flight to the UK, where he was due to link up with Worcestershire.
His departure left the Lions a player short for the closing stages of the match, which they went on to lose off the penultimate ball.
Initially, teammates believed he had picked up an injury after completing his allocation of overs, including figures of 3-44. However, it soon emerged he had headed to the airport, prompting the match referee to disallow a substitute fielder and forcing the Lions to finish the game with 10 players.
Lions CEO Jono Leaf-Wright said the matter had now been resolved.
“It has been an unfortunate period for all parties involved but now we have brought the matter to a close, allowing everyone to move forward,” he said. “At Lions cricket we hold ourselves to the highest professional standards and take matters of this nature very seriously.”
RASSIE: Shukri stopped talking to me
Swanepoel’s immediate future remains uncertain. He is in the UK but cannot play until CSA’s disciplinary process is concluded and an NOC is granted, while Worcestershire have already signed short-term cover in his absence.
Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images
