Phalaborwa United have been hit with a two-year expulsion from SAFA league competitions following the dramatic abandonment of their Nedbank Cup qualifying match against Vondwe XI Bullets in Limpopo.
The ABC Motsepe League side was found guilty of several offences arising from the incident at the Makhado Show Ground on 19 September, when the match descended into chaos following a late penalty decision.
The match was still goalless when Vondwe were awarded a penalty in the 87th minute. The decision triggered a furious reaction from the Phalaborwa United camp, with supporters invading the field and the situation escalating to the point where the referee was forced to leave the pitch for his safety.
According to the disciplinary finding, Phalaborwa United were found guilty of field invasion, causing the abandonment of the match, throwing bottles and other objects, and insulting or assaulting match officials.
The disciplinary committee ruled that Vondwe XI Bullets be awarded the match, allowing them to progress to the next stage of the Limpopo Nedbank Cup qualifiers, where they will face Selwana White Vultures.
Phalaborwa United were also fined R20 000, of which R10 000 was suspended. The club must pay the immediately applicable R10 000 within seven days of the ruling, failing which the suspended portion will also become payable.
The punishment brings an abrupt end to Phalaborwa United’s involvement in the current SAFA league programme and represents a major setback for a club that had been looking to establish itself in Limpopo’s competitive ABC Motsepe League.
The Nedbank Cup preliminary round is being used by ABC Motsepe League clubs across the province as the pathway towards the prestigious Last 32 stage, where the remaining amateur qualifiers join clubs from the Motsepe Foundation Championship and Betway Premiership.
For Vondwe XI Bullets, however, the disciplinary ruling has opened the door to another opportunity in the competition.
Their attention now turns to Selwana White Vultures, with a place in the next stage at stake.
The incident has also once again put the spotlight on the importance of player and spectator behaviour towards match officials, with the Phalaborwa United case serving as a stark reminder of the consequences of incidents that bring matches into disrepute.
