Officiating controversy overshadowed a 1-1 draw between Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs at Loftus Versfeld, the report says, with several decisions prompting calls for Video Assistant Referee technology in South Africa.
Referee Luxolo Badi and assistants Romario Phiri and Romeo Matibidi were credited with a difficult game to manage, according to the report, but some calls were described as objectively wrong and damaging to the image of the Premier Soccer League and potentially to Bafana Bafana ahead of the World Cup.
The report highlights a late first-half lunge by Sundowns midfielder Jayden Adams that injured Chiefs’ Mduduzi Shabalala; Adams was not sent off for that challenge but received a second yellow for simulation in the 64th minute and was dismissed. The account also notes that Chiefs midfielder Siphesihle Ndlovu avoided more severe punishment despite several incidents, receiving only a single yellow before being substituted.
One incident cited involved Ndlovu’s late challenge on Sundowns centre-back Keanu Cupido, which the report says left Cupido with heavy impact to the collarbone and arm and has raised major doubts about his availability for Sundowns ahead of the two-legged CAF Champions League final against AS FAR on May 17 and 24. Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso, speaking in response to an ESPN question at the post-match press conference, expressed strong frustration at how that sequence was handled.
The report also criticizes missed disciplinary action for what it describes as an elbow on Khuliso Mudau and an unsporting grab of Tashreeq Matthews’ head by Ndlovu, and it cites IFAB Law 12.4 in outlining the definitions for violent conduct and deliberate striking of the head or face. While those particular acts may not have caused serious injury, the report argues they nonetheless warranted firmer intervention from match officials.
