Fraud allegations escalate following the closure of BT Football Academy

Two cases of fraud are currently open at Mitchells Plain and Grassy Park police stations against the owner of BT Football Academy.

The parents who opened the case have alleged that they paid the full amount for a trip to Spain but were never refunded for the unbooked return flights.

The club has since closed down, leaving parents and coaches seeking answers.

BT Football Academy faced backlash after 38 people travelled to Spain for the Donosti Cup. After the tournament, 10 returned home independently, but the remaining 28—mostly children and three coaches—were left stranded without return flights, sparking widespread concern (Online campaign secures flights for children stranded in Spain after football tour, Plainsman July 21; Stranded soccer players and coaches return home after emotional ordeal, Plainsman July 25 and "Case opened after football parent claim misused funds" Plainsman July 28).

Captain F.C. Van Wyk confirmed that a criminal case was registered at Mitchells Plain police station as theft. No arrests have been made, and the investigation is ongoing. 

While the cases remain open, owner Brandon Timmy deactivated his emails and closed BT Football Academy.

Coach Jesse Julius said the owner, Brandon, has not paid him, the coaches, or the parents affected. 

“He’s been avoiding people, not answering messages, and pretending to be innocent while his actions say otherwise,” Julius said. 

None of the coaches has been paid since June. “He closed the academy but hasn’t declared insolvency, so he can’t claim he has no money,” he said. 

Juluis said repeated requests for payment were ignored, emails were deactivated, and correspondence was deleted. “Parents have taken legal action, subpoenas were issued, and the tournament organisers have banned him from future events,” he said.

Maite Rodil, responsible for bookings in the Donosti Cup, said the amount owed by BT Football caused significant problems for the tournament. She said clubs must be backed by a registered entity and provide a tax identification card. In BT Football’s case, visas were received too late, and by then flight costs had increased.

“Because of this, their participation was accepted, but the final payment was postponed to a series of instalments after the tournament,” Rodil said.

A written agreement was created and signed by BT Football, but it has not been fulfilled. She said the unpaid amount caused financial strain for the organisers and logistical problems for the tournament, though she requested the issue not be publicized further.

In late July,  Timmy acknowledged the closure of BT Football Academy in an email to parents and coaches.

He wrote: “I want to sincerely apologize for the mistake regarding the travel arrangements, which resulted in the team being stranded. It was never my intention for things to turn out this way. I take full responsibility, and the financial impact has made it impossible to continue operations.” 

“Thank you for your commitment to developing our players and for the memories we shared,” he said.

Despite numerous attempts by the Plainsman to contact him, Timmy did not respond.

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