Uganda’s national football coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic has been convicted on two counts of sexual assault in South Africa.
The Gqeberha Regional Court sentenced him to two separate three-year jail terms, both of which have been suspended for five years.
The Serbian coach, who was in court to hear the verdict, has immediately appealed the ruling and strenuously denies the charges against him.
“It was only fitting to put an application for the leave to appeal the judgement, which I believe was erroneously arrived at,” Micho said in a statement.
“I had no doubt in my mind that the criminal justice system of South Africa is objective and sober. My belief has not been tainted.”
A short statement by Uganda’s football federation (Fufa) indicates that the 52-year-old will carry on his duties with the Cranes despite the findings.
“Uganda coach Sredojevic asked Fufa for permission to attend to a private matter in South Africa,” it read.
“We have this afternoon received information that the private matter has been concluded for now.
“The coach will come back to resume his duties accordingly.”
The incidents happened in December 2020 while he was coach of the Zambian national team and was in South Africa to watch the regional Cosafa Under-20 Cup.
Micho had denied the charges surrounding the two incidents.