Referees arrive an hour late as ABC Motsepe shenanigans continue

A scheduled Limpopo ABC Motsepe League match was abandoned on Tuesday, 22 November, after one of the opponents decided to leave before kickoff.

Dolphins and Phinnet were set to play their league match at Ga-Manamela, Moletjie, at 15:00. But by the set kick-off time, there were no match officials to officiate the game.

The two teams had to wait for an hour, until Phinnet, who were the visitors, decided against playing the match.

Dolphins, who are currently top of steam B in the Limpopo region, released a statement later on claiming a walkover victory.

THE DOLPHINS STATEMENT

“Phinnet FC walked away after the match officials arrived late 20 minutes after the kickoff time,” read the statement.

“As the home team a disciplined team we remain there until match officials do all the processes that were supposed to be done together with the opposition until we enter the field. (The) referee blew the whistle to indicate that the game it’s over.”

“Walkover. The Dolphins FC 2 – 0 Phinnet FC,” they claimed.

ABC MOTSEPE LEAGUE SHENANIGANS

When contacted for a comment, Phinnet chairman Makgaba Letsoalo gave a different version of the events.

“The referees arrived at 16:10 and it’s not even the referees that were appointed. Its referees that were taken from the village,” Letsoalo told FARPost.

“This is shenanigans, we can’t allow that to happen. The game will definitely be rescheduled. What they are talking about the walkover is rubbish. Even SAFA confirmed that there was a bit of miscommunication between them and the referees. So, I then understand that the game should be rescheduled.”

There is nothing like that, there is no point that was allocated to Dolphins or Phinnet.”

Efforts to get clarity from SAFA Limpopo secretary Refiloe Khoza were fruitless. 

The ABC Motsepe League is ongoing despite the FIFA World Cup currently underway in Qatar.

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