The club has since filed a complaint with the BFA regarding the conduct of the match official during the game. Beleng awarded Young Stars two penalties and showed Notwane’s Sthembile ‘Terry’ Mbuqe a straight red card mid-way through the first half.
After the red card incident, Notwane reportedly complained to the match commissioner, raising their suspicions that Beleng could have been under the influence. However, their complaints fell on deaf ears. “Terry was fouled and complained to the referee but he was shown a straight red, why? The referee went on to give Young Stars two penalties and they scored the second with just three minutes to full time.
After the game, the referee refused to do a test; he said he was uncomfortable. We believe that it was a clear message to deny Notwane points by any means on the day,” a source said. Speaking to Mmegi Sport, Notwane chairperson, Director Lebetwa confirmed that the club has written to the BFA to complain about Beleng. He said the club officials had raised the matter once again at full time and asked to perform a breathalyser on the match officials but their request was turned down as the match officials said it was against the rules.
“I am informed that one of our club officials could smell alcohol from the referee. The issue was raised during the match and at full-time. We asked to do a test on the referee but the match commissioner refused. We informed the match commissioner that we very much believe that the referee is drunk and we need to do a test for us to have some evidence before we could take the issue any further but he said it was against the rules. The match commissioner told us he had done his match report and advised that we do our own and submit it to the relevant office. We have since instructed our general manager to submit a complaint at the BFA,” Lebetwa said.
He further said the club wants a rematch against Young Stars as the match was not played on level ground. The BFA has meanwhile said they are yet to receive a formal complaint from Notwane. The BFA referee manager, Jonti Rasetshoga Wednesday said he was unaware of such a complaint letter as it is yet to reach his desk. Mmegi Sport is informed that the youthful Beleng was on a double assignment on Saturday as in the morning he officiated the Gaborone City Region Football Association’s Women’s Division 1 League tie between Gaborone United and Prisons XI.
