Referee assaulted and match abandoned after chaos erupts
A Makhado LFA match between Maebane Soccer Academy and Pat All Stars was abandoned after referee was assaulted and threatened.
LIMPOPO – A Makhado Local Football Association (LFA) match at Maebane last Saturday was abandoned after referee Aluwani Mashavha was reportedly assaulted.
The incident occurred during the first half of the clash between Maebane Soccer Academy and Madodonga Pat All Stars, just 20 minutes into play, with the Academy leading 1-0.
Tensions flared when angry Pat All Stars fans and officials accused the referee of bias. Mashavha was reportedly rescued by Maebane Soccer Academy management as an angry crowd surrounded him.
Speaking to CV, Mashavha said he no longer felt safe, as fans questioned every decision he made and threatened to kill him. He said the confrontation began after he issued a yellow card to an All Stars player.
The player and coach protested the decision, and the situation escalated when the player apparently struck the referee on the forehead in front of team officials.
Mashavha then stopped the game, saying he felt threatened and unable to continue.
Maebane Soccer Academy manager, Junior Mushwana, condemned the incident, calling All Stars’ conduct unacceptable.
“They lack discipline, and such behaviour will not get them anywhere,” he said.
All Stars manager Pat Mahlamela, however, criticised the referee, claiming he failed to control the game and made one-sided decisions. He said losing the match under such circumstances was demoralising for both players and technical staff.
Makhado LFA chairperson, Freddy Phathela, confirmed that reports were being awaited from both teams and the referee.
“Once we receive these reports, Pat All Stars will appear before a disciplinary hearing. They will be charged for the abandonment of the game and for assaulting the referee,” he said.
