Andile “Ace” Ncobo has broken ranks with pay-per-view channel SuperSport TV after 13 years on its payroll.

Ncobo and his wife, Salomie Twaise Ncobo, were granted bail of R50,000 and R30,000, respectively, after appearing in the Bellville magistrate’s court on Monday morning to face three counts of fraud and money laundering.

They are due back in court on 29 May.

Following their appearance, the former PSL and FIFA referee confirmed his decision to leave SuperSport, for whom he was an analyst on refereeing decisions.

“For the past 13 years we’ve been together every Monday evening. We developed our love-hate relationship as real football people always do. You loved me when my analysis favoured your club and hated me the very next week when it did not,” wrote Ncobo, who liked to say ‘Spot on’ whenever he reviewed a correct decision by a referee.

“Through it all, you were educated on the intricacies of refereeing decisions. Sadly, the very first thing I did when I stepped out of court was to call my SuperSport Football boss and inform him that I will immediately cease to be part of the show in the foreseeable future, as I do not want my personal circumstances to tarnish the valuable role that the show plays within the football ecosystem, as well as respect for the SuperSport brand,” he said.

“Innocent as I know I am, innocent as the constitution of the country so dictates until a competent court finds to the contrary, I thought it best to make this decision.

“I will henceforth join the millions of you who watch the show as a viewer too. Please do keep supporting the show. Thank you.”

The fraud and money laundering charges relate to a R15m donation for school construction projects in the Eastern Cape in 2008.

The state alleges that Ncobo and his wife embarked on a scheme to fraudulently obtain monies from Petroleum Oil and Gas Corporation of South Africa SOC Ltd. (PetroSA) for themselves, family members, and/or entities in which they had a vested interest.