A video that has gone viral of a spectator/referee brawl at an U7 league match between Benoni Northerns and Bundas was captured more than a month ago.

Social media was already abuzz with footage of the rugby brawl at the Virseker Noordvaal Cup match between Hoërskool Dr EG Jansen and Die Hoërskool Menlopark in Pretoria on August 1. The timing of the U7 video led many to believe that the incident had also occurred recently.

But Eastern Local Football Association (ELFA) confirmed to Benoni City Times that it happened on June 27 and that they acted swiftly afterwards, fining both clubs involved and suspending the officials and parents found guilty of misconduct.

It was a Facebook video posted by soccer influencer Football Stage on August 1 that suggested the U7 incident was recent.

The video shows a violent confrontation between adults and the ref after the final whistle of the ELFA U7 League Two clash between Benoni Northerns Football Club (BNFC) A and Bundas Soccer Schools. Bundas won the match 1-0.

ELFA chairperson Bruce King said the matter had already been dealt with through the league’s disciplinary processes.

“This happened a month ago. The disciplinary hearing was held two days after the incident. Both clubs received heavy fines, while coaches and parents involved were suspended,” said King.

Incident

The 05:22 video shows a man in a red jacket and black pants approaching the referee and pointing to his watch before throwing his hands in the air in apparent frustration.

He approaches the official a second time before walking away and kicking bags behind his team.

Moments later, parents and spectators flood onto the field. A man wearing a black jacket and blue jeans is seen grabbing the referee from behind by the neck before a mass brawl breaks out.

Without getting into details, BNFC chairperson Rodney Farrell condemned the incident, saying it tarnished the image of the game.

“BNFC is aware of the unfortunate incident that occurred on June 27. The matter was referred to the ELFA, which has since concluded its disciplinary process and imposed sanctions, including a fine on both clubs and suspensions on the individuals involved.

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“The conduct displayed during the incident does not reflect the values or code of conduct of BNFC. We do not condone any behaviour that brings the game into disrepute and remain committed to promoting respect, sportsmanship and a safe environment for all players, coaches, officials and spectators.”

Bundas chairperson Jonas Mabunda confirmed his club was fined R15 000, with R10 000 suspended until the end of 2027.

He added that the club’s coach was also suspended.

Explaining what led to the altercation, Mabunda said the BNFC coach confronted the referee after claiming he had blown the final whistle two minutes early.

“The referee couldn’t allow the extra time because parents had already approached the technical area and confronted him. We rushed onto the field to separate them and instructed our parents to stay calm and not get involved so that the children would be protected.

“There wasn’t a single parent from my team involved in the fight. We have always told our parents that if something like this happens, they must not react,” he said.

Spark

Mabunda believes the incident may have been fuelled by long-standing rumours that referees favoured Bundas, which previously resulted in the club receiving a warning from the ELFA.

He shared a letter from King, dated May 28, in which the club was informed of numerous complaints from five different clubs regarding what King described as the “bad and disorderly behaviour of your members”.

“We had the same complaints last season. We will not stand for this type of behaviour, and this will be your final warning. If this does not improve, we will have no alternative but to take disciplinary action against your club,” the letter stated.

Mabunda said the ELFA later assigned a board member to observe one of Bundas’ matches following the complaints and that the official found no evidence of referee bias or misconduct.

A separate letter from ELFA juniors chairperson Tracy Malyon, dated July 6, stated that an ELFA board member who attended a separate match, between Bundas and Olympia, reported that the referees had performed excellently, but confirmed that individuals from both clubs had invaded the pitch after the match.

Mabunda apologised to the ELFA for the incident.

*The article was amended after Tracy Malyon confirmed the letter dated July 6 was related to a match between Bundas and Olympia, and not the one between Bundas and BNFC as initially reported.

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