The Safa Vhembe Hollywood Bets League match between Dzwerani United Brothers and SMSA FC was abandoned on Sunday. The match was stopped, with United Brothers leading 3-1 after SMSA's players left the field.
The match, played at the Dzwerani Grounds, was halted when an SMSA player was allegedly hit by a beer bottle. According to reports, only 20 minutes of regular time remained when SMSA's coach entered the pitch and instructed his players to leave, claiming they were not safe.
The referee called both captains and informed them that the match must continue. However, SMSA's coach insisted that his players leave the field. The referees then waited until the full 90 minutes had elapsed before officially stopping play.
United Brothers manager Mr Phathutshedzo Ndou said his team was leading 3-1 when SMSA officials entered the pitch. He confirmed that during the chaos, SMSA officials and players attempted to calm the situation by asking their supporters to leave the field, but they refused.
SMSA chairperson Mboniseni Nemaangani said his team had been awarded a corner kick, but their captain was unable to take it as missiles were thrown at him, and he was struck by a beer bottle. Fearing for his safety and that of his teammates, the captain informed match officials that their security was severely compromised and that they were at risk of violence. SMSA officials believed the unrest was instigated by United Brothers supporters.
The secretary of the Safa Vhembe Executive Committee, Mr Sam Matodzi, said they were awaiting reports from the referee and both teams. Once received, the two teams would be summoned to appear before a disciplinary hearing to face a charge of direct abandonment of a match.