Former SA Football Association president Kirsten Nematandani has expressed shock at FIFA's ethics committee recommendation that he be banned from football for six years.

The world footall governing body yesterday announced Nematandani, who served as Safa president from 2009 to 2013, could face a ban and a fine of 10 000 Swiss francs (R140 000) for alleged involvement in the 2010 match-fixing fiasco.

But Nematandani hit back, telling Sowetan he had "never stolen a cent" in his life and would "not even attempt to fix a match".

"I have built my reputation through hard work over many years. I was the chairperson of the referees committee for years. Why didn't I fix matches then? Why would I fix friendly games?" a bemused Nematandani asked.

He accused Fifa of ulterior motives in recommending his ban, saying he - like others who were named in the pre-World Cup 2010 friendlies fiasco - had not been afforded a chance to state his case.

"I have not appeared before any tribunal. I was not charged with anything. How can Fifa operate like that? It seems they decided every South African who was named in their initial report is guilty. Nobody who was named was ever cross-examined."

Nematandani is the fifth high-profile former football administrator to be threatened with a lengthy ban from football.

Earlier this year, ex-Safa chief executive Leslie Sedibe vowed to fight a five-year ban imposed on him by Fifa as a direct result of the 2010 allegations. Former Safa referees officials Ace Kika, Adeel Carelse and Steve Goddard also received bans.

Allegations that Bafana Bafana's friendlies in the lead up to the 2010 World Cup were fixed first emerged in December that year.

Nematandani said he was alerted by Safa about his impending ban. "I received a call from the Safa chief executive [Dennis Mumble] making me aware of this communication from Fifa.

"But throughout this, Fifa had never involved anyone from Safa. Suddenly they release a statement like this. You really have to ask what motive do they want to serve?"

Nematandani, who since his departure from Safa three years ago has kept a distance from football activities, hinted he might seek legal opinion to clear his name.

"Obviously, now I have to wait to see what Safa does with this because the CEO said he has written a letter to Fifa. I just have to wait for their response. But I reserve my right to clear my name." In its statement, Fifa said its ethics committee recommeded the ban for Nematandani for "an apparent violation of article 13 (general rules of conduct), article 15 (loyalty) and article 18 (duty of disclosure, cooperation and reporting)".