“It is devastating to lose Ian McLeod,” laments Chairman Kaizer Motaung upon receiving the tragic news of the passing of PSL match commissioner, Ian McLeod. “Even though I was informed about his sudden illness, one can’t anticipate when death will strike. Despite being short in stature he was large in character and we will certainly feel his loss deeply.”
McLeod has been a dedicated servant of football for many years. His profile is of someone who has run and completed a race.
“I’ve known Ian since his involvement with refereeing way back in the 80s,” reflects on McLeod, who was an excellent referee, before moving into a more administrative role. “His passion for the game is well documented. He was known for his no nonsense approach as a referee.”
McLeod served football with distinction as a referee and match commissioner at various platforms. His name appears in history at local, regional and world level. McLeod became a Fifa referee in 1993, becoming the first South African referee to officiate at a Fifa World Cup in 1998 in France.
At the time of his death, he was part of the CAF club licencing instructors, was acting as Safa’s head of referees and was involved in the restructuring of the referees department.
“We all remember how McLeod officiated at the Africa Cup of Nations and even the World Cup,” recalls a devastated Motaung.
“It is this moment where we have to face the reality that he is no more with us,” the Chiefs Chairman expresses. “It is devastating to his family as they have lost a loved one. A big tree has fallen, but his spirit will remain with us forever.
“The bereaved family must find solace in the memories they shared with McLeod. It won’t be easy though. He was a special man with a big heart and to fill his shoes will be impossible.
“Only God knows why he had to go now. However, we will remember him and the contribution he made to humanity via his various roles in football as well as in education as the principal of Crawford Preparatory Pretoria.”
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