GLRU dismiss talk of Luyt stand-off

The second time in a week Golden Lions Rugby Union officials had to douse fires caused by inaccurate media reports.

Golden Lions Rugby Union President Kevin de Klerk has dismissed reports that he reportedly "hit back" at criticism from former Lions boss Louis Luyt.

De Klerk, who said he has the utmost respect for Luyt, claimed parts of the interview with another media outlet was omitted and it now appears as if he was taking on the former Lion King.

"I will never get into a public debate with Louis Luyt," De Klerk said of a report which claimed the current President said Luyt's comments were "mischievous".

Luyt, in an interview with the Internet radio station Ballz radio, suggested that "liquidation" was an option for the GLRU and he tore into officials.

Luyt, who was head of Transvaal (now Lions) rugby from 1986 to 2000, was very critical hiss immediate successors and De Klerk's predecessors – who cost the union in the region of R85-million in investments, set up by Luyt.

However, the same media outlets that left out key elements of Luyt's interview, also omitted critical parts of De Klerk's reaction – leading to more sensational and misleading headlines.

"I have only the utmost respect for Luyt and what he has done for South African rugby," De Klerk told this website, adding that there is no talk of a stand-off between them.

De Klerk also hit out at the media outlet over claims that the GLRU's financial statements are not made public, 'unlike those of various other unions around the country' as well as those of the South African Rugby Union.

According to the reporter this is "a lack of transparency" from the GLRU about their financial statements.

However, De Klerk pointed out that this is inaccurate, as only two institutions – Western Province and SARU – make their financial statements available for public scrutiny.

He said it is their choice, as it is not required – in terms of the constitution – that they need to make it available.

"The contents of our books are open to our stakeholders, which are our clubs, but are not for public consumption," De Klerk said.

"We make use of one of the finest audit firms in the country and I can assure you there is nothing untoward about what we do."

He felt that certain sensitive information around sponsorships contained in those financial statement could not be released into the public domain.

By Jan de Koning