Not A Good Show From Chiefs' Officials

TSHEPO MOLWANE
Staff Writer | Monday March 22, 2010 00:00

However, the unruly behaviour of some of Chiefs' officials during the game leaves a lot to be desired.

The game was abandoned in the 85th minute after TAFIC players attacked the assistant referee saying that he failed to raise the flag when the ball went out before it was crossed for Chiefs to take a crucial 2-1 lead. The organising committee has moved swiftly to make a ruling as to who goes to the semis between Chiefs and TAFIC but left the matter of what will happen to those who caused mayhem and the abandonment to the Botswana Football Association (BFA) Disciplinary Committee (DC).

Botswana Television (Btv) has aired a video clip showing Chiefs' chairman Ernest Molome, treasurer Morakanyane Sebele and marketing manager Seatla Pilane invading the pitch during the game trying to attack referee Joshua Bondo.

This was after Bondo allegedly denied them a 'penalty' and in the process booked star midfielder Dirang Moloi. The raiding party was restrained by Chiefs' assistant coach Innocent Morapedi and other team officials before they could do damage. Chiefs' players swamped the referee and in the process, Bondo was seen holding a red card calling one of the Chiefs' players but the card was never given. This was before TAFIC protests in the dying minutes caused the abandonment. Chiefs' spokesperson, Clifford Mogomotsi told Sport Monitor on Friday that the organising committee has made a ruling that TAFIC players were wrong. 'The other matters are before the Disciplinary Committee and we do not want to pre-empt the outcome.

For now, whoever you have mentioned remains innocent until proven guilty. We will only release a statement on the matter as soon as it has been dealt with by the DC. However, I must make it clear that as a club, we do not condone violence,' he said.

TAFIC have blamed the organising committee for punishing them and not Chiefs, who were also involved in violence during the match.  'He (the referee) felt so intimidated he hesitated to award a red card to the offending Chiefs' players. In this ruling, there is also no mention of the time the game was stopped (when Chiefs' officials invaded the pitch). We really feel hard done by the ruling as it is against the development of football in this country,' said TAFIC vice-chairman Livert Ntwaagae.Coca-Cola Cup organising committee official Tumagole Tumagole said they are waiting to hear from the DC when the case will be heard. 'We hope that it will be on Monday (today),' he said.