Safa Limpopo match marred as referee allegedly attacked | Review

LIMPOPO – Last Saturday turned into a fiasco for local assistant referee Tsunzu Ngwenya during a Safa Limpopo ABC Motsepe League match between Mukondeni Young Chiefs and Selwane White Vultures at the Makhado showgrounds.

After the final whistle officials, fans and players from White Vultures allegedly stormed the pitch and assaulted him, accusing him of favouritism.

Controversial decisions spark tensions on the pitch

Fans claimed that he denied them what they described as two clear penalties and allowed Chiefs to score an equaliser from an offside position without raising his flag.

Other match officials and home team players assisted in moving Ngwenya away from the crowd.

A fortnight ago, another match between Musina United and Phalaborwa United also ended in controversy when players and supporters of Phalaborwa United accused assistant referee Evans Napo of favouritism after he disallowed a goal, ruling that the player was offside.

According to reports, Phalaborwa players, together with some supporters and officials, confronted Napo after the decision.

Previous Limpopo league match also ended in controversy

The situation allegedly turned violent when a supporter struck the assistant referee with a beer bottle, and more supporters reportedly joined the fracas.

ALSO READ: Violence halts Musina vs Phalaborwa Safa match

According to the referee’s report, that match had started well, with both teams battling for dominance.

Musina United were leading 2–1 when the match was stopped in the 43rd minute of the second half, with only two minutes remaining in the game.

During the incident at the Makhado showgrounds, assistant referee Ngwenya was allegedly assaulted with fists and other objects during the chaos.

According to his report, the match had proceeded normally until tensions escalated after the final whistle.

He indicated that, after he tried to defend himself, players, officials, and supporters from White Vultures allegedly attacked him.

Ngwenya stated that the angry fans, officials and players might have caused him serious harm had it not been for the intervention of match officials and members of the home team.

Assistant referee allegedly assaulted during chaos

The Chiefs’ physical trainer, Bornwise Malobo, confirmed that the two teams had played to a 1–1 draw when the assistant referee was allegedly attacked.

He said that during the chaos, officials from Chiefs attempted to calm the situation by urging their supporters to leave the pitch.

“The officials and players of the home team then protected the assistant referee until he managed to escape,” Malobo said.

The administrator of the Safa Limpopo League competition committee, Refilwe Khosa, said he is still waiting for official reports from both teams and the match officials.

“If we receive these reports, the team involved will appear before a disciplinary hearing,” said Khosa.