The Motsepe Foundation Championship match between Venda FC and Gomora United was played under protest after the latter made an error regarding the Under-23 player rules.
Gomora won the match 1-0 at Malamulele Stadium courtesy of Tiklas Thutlwa‘s first-half goal on Saturday afternoon. It was a first win of the season for the home side, while Venda also suffered their first defeat.
However, the victory was marred by controversy. FARPost has established that Venda FC lodged an official protest during the second half after Gomora were left with only one Under-23 player on the pitch.
WHY DID VENDA FC PLAY THE MATCH UNDER PROTEST?
At the beginning of the match, Gomora had three Under-23 players on the field: Sfiso Timba, Namadzavho Ramuthivheli and Sandile Wanda. However, the issue came with 10 minutes left before full time.
Both Ramuthivheli and Wanda were taken off, leaving Gomora with one U-23 player on the field. This publication has gathered that upon noticing the error, Venda lodged a protest.
WHAT DOES THE RULE SAY ON UNDER-23 PLAYERS IN THE MOTSEPE FOUNDATION CHAMPIONSHIP?
According to rule 35.2 in the NSL handbook, clubs participating in the National First Division must include in the team sheet for every match a minimum of five players who are both Under-23 and eligible to represent South Africa. A minimum of two U-23 players must be on the field of play at all times during a match.
The rule further clarifies that if a team has made all its substitutions, leaving two U-23 players on the field, and one or both players are injured or receive a red card, and the team completes a match with 10 or fewer players, this will not constitute a contravention.
A similar incident occurred in 2021 when Sekhukhune United gained promotion to the elite league. This followed Polokwane City FC failing to field the required number of U-23 players on the team sheet against Sekhukhune.
Polokwane City had won the match 1-0 on the field, but Sekhukhune were later awarded a 3-0 win and three points and subsequently gained promotion to the Premiership.
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