False Glory: Showmax series investigates crimes at Comrades and 2010 FIFA World Cup

Showmax has just unveiled the trailer for its gripping new true-crime documentary series, False Glory, which delves into three shocking stories that sent shockwaves through the world of sports. From cheating scandals at the iconic Comrades Marathon to match-fixing during South Africa’s 2010 FIFA World Cup warm-up games, and an illegal immigration case tied to a Serie A football star, False Glory promises to uncover the dark side of glory in the sporting world.

The Marathon Bros: A Tale of Deception

The series kicks off with the premiere episode, The Marathon Bros, set to air on Monday, 19 August. The episode revisits the infamous 1999 Comrades Marathon scandal, where Sergio Motsoeneng, a relatively unknown 21-year-old, astonishingly finished ninth in the grueling 90-kilometer race between Pietermaritzburg and Durban. However, the truth later emerged that Sergio had swapped places with his 19-year-old brother, Fika, during the race, sparking one of the biggest cheating scandals in the history of the Comrades Marathon.

Even the legendary Bruce Fordyce, who holds the record for the most Comrades victories, expressed a mix of admiration and condemnation.

“I’m never going to condone cheating in any way in our sport – but it is quite ingenious,”.

Fordyce admits, while also emphasizing the criminal nature of the act

The episode features interviews with other notable Comrades figures, including Andrew Kelehe, Cheryl Winn, and Nick Bester, along with the brothers’ former coach, Eugene Botha, who believed they had the talent to win the race outright.

Match Fixing: The Dark Side of Football

The second episode, Match Fixing, slated for release on Monday, 26 August, shifts the focus to the world of football and a scandal that marred South Africa’s 2010 FIFA World Cup preparations. The episode explores how Wilson Raj Perumal, a notorious match-fixer, orchestrated a fake international friendly between Togo and Bahrain, and claimed to have rigged several of South Africa’s World Cup warm-up games. Adeel Carelse, the former Director of Referees for the South African Football Association, recalls how he tried to blow the whistle on the scandal but ended up being scapegoated and banned by FIFA.

Carelse’s emotional recounting of the personal toll the scandal took on him is a highlight of the episode. He lost everything, from his home to his life savings, and remains deeply embittered by the experience. The episode also features insights from Bafana Bafana star Katlego Mphela and other key figures involved in uncovering the match-fixing scandal.

The Baby Footballers: A Tragic Tale of Broken Dreams

The third and final episode, The Baby Footballers, which premieres on Monday, 2 September, tells the harrowing story of young Ivorian boys who were lured to Italy with promises of footballing success, only to find themselves entangled in a web of exploitation. The episode focuses on the experiences of four boys, including Christian Kouamé, who went on to play for Fiorentina and the Cote d’Ivoire national team. However, for others like Samuel ‘Ndri Kouassi, the dream turned into a nightmare, leading to a landmark illegal immigration case in Europe.

This episode examines the complexities of the situation, where desperate families gamble on the hope that their children might become football stars. Through interviews with Italian journalist Paolo Nencioni and former coaches, the episode paints a vivid picture of the often-overlooked dark side of football’s global talent pipeline.

A Must-Watch for True Crime and Sports Fans Alike

Directed by Arianna Perretta and produced by CMG Productions, the creators behind award-winning documentaries like The Footballer, His Wife and the Crash, False Glory is set to be another powerful addition to Showmax’s true-crime sports offerings. The series promises to be a must-watch for both true crime aficionados and sports fans alike, blending in-depth investigation with compelling storytelling.

With False Glory set to premiere soon, viewers are invited to explore the murky underbelly of the sports world, where glory often comes at a high price.

False Glory is being distributed internationally by CMG Productions.