‘Malicious refereeing’ forces Mpumalanga side to suspend all its football operations
Another controversy has struck the SAFA Mpumalanga ABC Motsepe League as yet another club has chosen to halt all its football activities due to “disgraceful and malicious” officiating.
Witbank Citylads FC, competing in the Mpumalanga amateur league, has decided to suspend its football operations until the end of the season due to poor refereeing in their provincial Motsepe League.
The club is currently placed seventh on the Mpumalanga ABC Motsepe League log standings with 40 points after 25 games.
As a result, Witbank Citylads are 15 points behind log leaders Middelburg United, who are fighting hard to qualify for the amateur league’s national playoffs in their quest to gain promotion to the Motsepe Foundation Championship.
Since the campaign began, SAFA Mpumalanga has lost two teams, with Appollo XI FC exiting the league for the same reason.
Meanwhile, Mpumalanga Football Academy was expelled after failing to honour their three official league matches in this campaign. As a result, there will be no relegation because two teams have already been expelled from the league.
WITBANK CITYLADS OFFICIAL STATEMENT ON SUSPENDING ITS FOOTBALL OPERATIONS
“The management of Witbank Citylads FC has taken a decision to suspend all its football operations until the end of the season,” reads the club statement.
“This decision emanates from a disgraceful, malicious and embarrassing refereeing by the referee known as Percy and his assistants in the match between Phezulu FC and Witbank Citylads FC.
“The club is inviting anyone who is interested in buying the club.”
Witbank Citylads were supposed to take on Shimadel FC away from home on Saturday, 29 March at 15:00. The game will take place at Vaalbank Stadium.
These problems have affected the league’s integrity and reputation, as they must satisfy all stakeholders and sponsors involved.
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