Steve Barker highlights 3 controversial referee decisions against Stellenbosch

After being booted out of the Nedbank Cup following a 3-1 defeat to Kaizer Chiefs on Saturday night, Stellenbosch FC coach Steve Barker expressed his outrage over controversial referee decisions that have cost his team.

Pule Mmodi’s injury-time goal became a point of contention for Barker, as George Matlou appeared to have pushed Stellies goalkeeper Sage Stephens at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha.

Referee Sikhumbuzo Gasa had to consult his linesman, who had initially flagged a foul. To Barker’s dismay, the official awarded the goal to Amakhosi.

Amakhosi sealed their place in the semifinals with Mfundo Vilakazi’s third goal at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. During his post-match interview with SuperSport TV, he emphasised three previous incidents that cost his team.

He refused to discuss the game itself, saying he was “going to keep it brief”.

WHICH THREE CONTROVERSIAL REFEREE DECISIONS DID STEVE BARKER HIGHLIGHT

“Look, I’m just going to keep it brief. I’m not going to talk about the game,” Barker said. “So, two years ago, in the MTN quarterfinal, we got a penalty in the 96th minute against Chiefs at Danie Craven, and it gets overturned.

“We play in the final against [Orlando] Pirates. They take a free-kick five metres in advance. That gets given. Today [Saturday], the linesman puts his flag up for a foul on the goalkeeper, which you can clearly see it was. It gets overturned. So what can I say? Thank you.”

Barker walked away before he could be asked another question. It marked the third time this season that the Winelands club had lost to Chiefs. The first meeting was in the Betway Premiership, which ended in a 2-1 for Amakhosi at the FNB Stadium. The second meeting was the reverse fixture, and Chiefs won it 1-0.

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