THE SA Football Association will investigate the source of statements that Irvin Khoza planned to oust its president Kirsten Nematandani.

THE SA Football Association will investigate the source of statements that Irvin Khoza planned to oust its president Kirsten Nematandani.

Nematandani promised yesterday to establish who was behind the reports by two Sunday newspapers that Khoza was planning the coup.

"We are trying to establish who is behind Sunday's explosive statements that Khoza has had meetings with the ANC in his attempt to oust me as Safa president.

"We are gathering information and ultimately the truth will come out. We are all passionate about the World Cup and anyone who is against it is committing treason against the country," said Nematandani, adding that any Safa official found to be responsible will be expelled.

But Dominic Ntsele, who refers to himself as Khoza's spokesperson, said Dennis Mumble was behind the campaign to discredit Khoza. Nematandani brushed him off.

Nematandani held his conference hours after Khoza had held his special media briefing at the Premier Soccer League headquarters in Johannesburg yesterday.

Khoza said: "The co-ordinated Sunday newspapers assertion quoting nonexistent meetings to plot a nonexistent coup (by me) is not only false but malicious (rumours) peddled by those who clearly do not care about putting the World Cup first."

Khoza, the chairperson of the PSL, also chairs the local organising committee of the Fifa 2010 World Cup which will commence on June 11.

Khoza stressed that he would not allow in-fighting to compromise the successful staging of the World Cup.