Allegations of match-fixing in the ABC Motsepe League has rocked the local football fraternity, as the third-tier draws to a close.
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With just a handful of ABC Motsepe League games remaining before nine provincial winners prepare for the annual play-offs, horrific stories have surfaced in KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo that are said to be investigated.
In separate incidents in KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo respectively, a gun was allegedly pulled out as well as players kicking a match official.
It's not known whether FIFA's suspension of Steve Goddard, who was doing referee appointments in KZN, has anything to do with the crisis, but what we do know is that due to alleged dubious officiating, three KZN teams recently walked off the pitch, including Clive Barker's Durban FC.
"Against Milford FC, the referee indicated three minutes of extra-time," a source told the Siya crew. "But we played until he awarded them a penalty after 10 minutes. That's why Clive Barker decided the team must walk off."
The other sides that decided to quit the field were KwaMashu All Stars and Wembezi Juventus during games against Uthongathi FC and Sobantu Shooting Stars respectively, which also involved spot-kicks.
However it was KwaMashu's players who had the frightening experience of a weapon allegedly being drawn on them by security personnel belonging to the opposition's owner.
"Guns at matches are totally unacceptable!" the source went on to say.
"SAFA must take action before there's a fatality. It was crazy. When the ref gave Uthongathi a dodgy penalty, the KwaMashu players went straight to the linesman wanting an explanation."
"He ran to Uthongathi management followed by the players and that's when the gun was pulled."
In the Sobantu match, there was an allegation that the referee in charge wasn't even on the SAFA panel, while the issue of players kicking an official is being looked into at the highest level.
"Security is investigating," said head of referees, Peter Sejake.
Meanwhile, Ian McLeod, who's in charge of the third tier, was unaware of the KZN drama, but also promised swift action.
"It's not easy doing the appointments centrally, " he admitted.
"The leagues are getting quite tight but, where we can, we're lining up PSL referees. It's a sad day when Clive Barker has to take his team off."
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What punishment do you think should be handed to players or match officials who bring the game into disrepute?
