Poor officiating the norm in ABC Motsepe KZN League say coaches

Coaches from the ABC Motsepe KwaZulu-Natal League have urged SAFA to step in and raise the standard of officiating in grassroots football.

A handful of coaches have come forward, claiming to have witnessed some extraordinarily poor officiating.

Poor officiating putting grassroots football at risk

Coach of Richards Bay-based side Milford FC, Asanda Mvalo said that the poor officiating was putting South African football’s talent pipeline in jeopardy.

Mvalo told FARPost: “That’s not for me to say, at some point we were deprived of three clear penalties, players handling the ball in the box. Referees didn’t see that according to them they see nothing wrong with that, it’s normal for them.

“I am not gonna talk about them (match officials) because they know what they want, they know what they are doing that’s their job, if they do the right thing it’s up to them,” he said.

“But remember we need to be careful in what we are doing because this is grassroots football, that’s where the national team should get players from,” added Mvalo.

ABC Motsepe KwaZulu-Natal League lawless

Muzi King Masters coach Phelelani Mpangase claims that dangerous fouls are going unpunished and players put their health on the line turning out in the league.

“No one is trying to sort it out, our players are not protected on the field, but whenever we try to tell the officials about the fouls they give us red cards.

“I know it’s a man’s game but officials must protect our young players and their decisions must be fair,” said Mpangase.

Durban FC goalkeeper Senzo Dludlu pleaded with SAFA to step in and address the poor officiating in semi-professional football.

Dludlu said: “For South African football to develop and move forward, I think they need to stand up and put their house in order, because professional players start here.

“Since this (ABC Motsepe League) is a semi professional league anything goes, know one pays attention to how these action affect the teams.”

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