The SAFA Head of Referees in Limpopo, Ephraim Singo, has accused some ABC Motsepe League teams in the province of using ‘monkey tricks’ to abandon matches, creating an impression that it’s due to poor officiating.
The ABC Motsepe League in Limpopo has been marred by controversy this season as the race for a spot in the national promotion playoffs heats up. Seven matches have been abandoned this season, and 12 match officials have been suspended. Of those 12, only one official has been suspended as a result of an abandoned match.
The latest incidents involved a match where Mpheni Defenders kicked and scored a penalty without a goalkeeper after players from Vondwe XI Bullets left the field.
Another incident which raised eyebrows was between Mpheni Defenders and Selwane White Vultures. Referees were accused of being biased and were subsequently banned for eight matches.
Singo says there has been unfair criticism of his match officials and his department while it’s mostly clubs who abandon matches.
ABC MOTSEPE LEAGUE CLUBS IN LIMPOPO ACCUSED OF PLAYING TRICKS
“Local teams don’t respect their respective status. When teams don’t understand the rules of the game, they mob match referees for their decisions,” Singo told FARPost.
“Fans are not even complaining about decisions at the stadiums. It’s only teams. These teams are coming with ‘monkey tricks’ because they don’t want to play. We are saying it’s only happening here in Limpopo. But I am trying to answer how our teams are conducting themselves at these matches.
“It has nothing to do with match officials’ decisions. When it’s possible, we punish [match officials]. The only problem is that we don’t divulge when we punish.”
SAFA HEAD OF REFEREES SAYS THE MEN IN THE MIDDLE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ABANDONING MATCHES
“These things are not caused by referees. We have all the relevant structures that can manage referees in this province. We have a technical committee and a review committee that are checking the performances of the referees.
“I am saying in all the games that were abandoned, we have only found guilty one official who participated in causing the abandonment of games. Referees who conducted the game between Selwane and Mpheni were suspended for eight games. We are saying the relevant authority must act because this is destroying our football.”
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