Local soccer legend, Smiley Moosa, South Africa’s proclaimed "rebel with a cause", who defied apartheid by playing in the local league under the name of Arthur Williams, says a recent article in a daily national paper has left him disgusted and he has vowed to take the publication to task, no matter what.
The article in question, which appeared in the January 24 edition, read as follows: “Part of Nonkonyana's A-Team is one delusional Smiley Moosa, who believes he can still play in the PSL at the age of 66. 'Dinosaur Moosa' must have been one of Mzansi's finest players in the 1920s, but he simply can't accept the sad reality that he played in the wrong era. Let's see how long it's going to take before Moosa and Nonkonyana get into an argument.” The paper added that it is, “planning on organising a fancy, oakwood walking stick for Moosa on his next birthday.”
Speaking to the Laudium Sun last Thursday, (March 22), Smiley said that he was deeply saddened to see the article and wondered how something so derogatory was allowed to be published.
“I have given most of my life to bettering the quality of football in this country and have never ever read anyone say such negative things about me. Firstly, I am now 66 years old and that article says I was one of the finest players in the 1920's, so it's safe to say that no real thought went into the writing of such garbage. I have since made an official complaint to the press ombudsman and I am awaiting a ruling. Calling me delusional and dinosaur Moosa really hits a nerve because I have not even spoken to anyone from that daily paper regarding the article,” Smiley said woefully.
“I will make sure that this tabloid publication that publishes anything for sensationalism, prints a retraction because this whole article was uncalled for and they attacked me without cause. They shouldn't think that because they are a nationwide publication that they are above everyone,” Smiley added.
Last Saturday (March 24), the ombudsman ruled that the complaint was dismissed based on the fact that the article about Smiley Moosa was published in a 'tongue-in-cheek and gossip column'. This week Smiley told the Laudium Sun that he will be appealing the ombudsman’s ruling.
When the Laudium Sun approached said daily paper for comment regarding the article, one of the editors claimed that they had to find the article in question, before they could comment. When we called again the same comment was given.
Smiley Moosa aggrieved with a daily paper.