PHALABORWA – Safa Limpopo has banned Phalaborwa United from competing in the ABC Motsepe League for two years and imposed a R20 000 fine, with half of the amount suspended. The club is therefore required to pay R10 000 only. This follows an incident in which a referee was allegedly assaulted during a Nedbank Cup provincial qualifier.

The incident occurred during the Nedbank Cup qualifier match between Phalaborwa United and Vondwe XI Bullets held at Makhado Showground on the weekend of 12 and 13 September 2026. The match was abandoned after tensions escalated following a disputed penalty decision with about 10 minutes remaining and the score still 0-0.

The referee initially awarded a penalty to Vondwe XI Bullets before consulting his assistant referees and changing the decision to a free kick outside the penalty area. He later reversed the decision again and awarded the penalty.

Tensions boil over

The decision angered Phalaborwa United players, members of the technical team and supporters, with the situation escalating into violence. According to the Safa Limpopo Disciplinary Committee’s (DC) outcome, Phalaborwa United supporters invaded the field of play during the dispute.

The DC found that the club contravened several Safa Competition Uniform Rules, including Rule 24.2.12.1 relating to invasion of the field of play. The club was also found guilty of causing the abandonment of the match after the referee left the field for fear of being attacked.

Standoff over the penalty

According to the ruling, the assistant referee later instructed the captains of the two teams to resume the match, ruling that the match should continue with the penalty, but Phalaborwa United refused to allow the penalty to be taken and declined to continue with the match.

Referee flees as police intervene

The club was also found to have contravened Rules 24.2.12.3 and 24.2.12.7 after supporters allegedly threw bottles and cans at match officials, while players pushed the referee before supporters entered the field and attempted to attack him. The referee testified that he was physically assaulted before fleeing the field, with SAPS intervening.

Vondwe XI Bullets go through

The DC subsequently ordered Phalaborwa United’s immediate expulsion from the league for two years. Vondwe XI Bullets were awarded the match and will advance to the next round of the Limpopo Nedbank Cup preliminary fixtures.

Club hits back

Management disputed the verdict in a Facebook statement, describing it as biased.

“Phalaborwa United FC was accused of causing the abandonment of the match and assaulting a match official, allegations which we still deny,” the club said.

It claimed video evidence rejected by the DC chairperson showed the referee changing a penalty decision to a free kick, after which Vondwe XI Bullets players and technical officials allegedly attacked him. “Due to what we consider a biased decision, the club has resolved to appeal against the ruling. Further updates will follow in due course,” the statement concluded.