Sekhukhune United midfielder Thabang Monare has pleaded for fairness following a recent incident where he was forced off the field for wearing Isiphandla, a sacred African animal-skin wristband worn to honour ancestors.
Referee Cedric Muvhali caused controversy after he ordered Monare to leave the field for wearing the traditional bracelet, despite having covered it.
The incident occurred during a Betway Premiership match between Sekhukhune and AmaZulu FC earlier this month.
The issue of Isiphandla has long caused controversy in local football. Some players continue to wear traditional bracelets while others are unfortunate and barred by match officials.
According to FIFA Law 4, “A player mustn’t use equipment or wear anything that is dangerous to himself or another player, including any kind of jewellery.”
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However, Monare feels the law should be applied to all players and not just him. “For me, it’s not even about my beliefs. Hence, I say I don’t want to be here explaining my beliefs, adding a little bit of politics into sports, you know,” Monare told FARPost.
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“So my argument here is that if it happens to me and you [another player] have the same and are playing in the same game, and I am treated differently, that’s something else. So that’s my argument.
“If something has to be done, it’s a principle. If I am wearing jewellery and I am not supposed to, it’s a problem if I am taken out and the next person plays 90 minutes,” added Monare.
“The principles and the laws of the game should apply to everyone because I don’t want to involve my faith and my beliefs in the game. But I feel like if the rules are there, we need to respect them, but they must apply for everyone.”
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