ABC Motsepe League clubs have been warned that they will face serious consequences as the assault on referees and abandoning of matches due to dubious decisions continues. The SAFA promotion league in Limpopo has in recent times faced serious incidents that have put the lives of referees and spectators in danger.
A referee had to run for his life recently during a match between Maruleng Celtics and Emmanuel FC in Hoedspruit. Another match official was manhandled in a match between Madridtas FC and Vondwe XI Bullets in Tshifudi.
Over the past weekend, two matches were abandoned after clubs protested against match officiating. This publication has learnt that the abandonment of matches is nothing new in the Limpopo league due to bad officiating.
ABC MOTSEPE LEAGUE CLUBS WARNED OF SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES FOR ASSAULTING MATCH OFFICIALS
“It is indeed concerning and it is not acceptable,” SAFA Limpopo secretary Refiloe Khoza told FARPost.
“If you remember, our rules are very clear. They say the referee’s decision is final. But what is most concerning is the reaction of clubs when they are not satisfied with decisions. Revolting to assault is one thing that is not allowed but surprisingly they continue to do so.”
ARE MATCH OFFICIALS TO BLAME FOR THE RECENT ASSAULTS?
However, the association also acknowledges that there needs to be a serious introspection with their match officials.
“It also makes us wonder as SAFA to say, if there could be a problem with our referees,” she said.
“We are also trying as much as we can to equip them. We have had several exams and workshops. But we do have some shortfalls as well. But that doesn’t have to end up where a club wants to assault a referee or take a decision into their hands.
“It is very worrying because, at times, you hear about these assaults but they never reach my office. It’s very much concerning and something that we address with the referees department now and then.
“The issue of not having incident reports is also concerning. We see it going to lower levels as well where referees were assaulted. I think there need to be serious consequences for such actions so that clubs may refrain from such.”
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