The Promotional League match between Nesengani Junior Swallows and Mbokota Together that was played at the Tshipakoni School grounds on Sunday ended in chaos. It was evident from the start that something strange was going to happen.

The fans of Junior Swallows were not happy about the manner in which the referee, Mr Falaza Mashele, was handling the game. At some stages they bombarded him with abusive words and called him nasty names. Swallows lost 1-2 to Mbokota Together.

The only goal for Junior Swallows came via Shandukani Mukoma, who forced his way through the defence of Together and scored from the left corner. Swallows were still leading at half time. The situation took an ugly turn when a substitute of Swallows, Xikhomelo Mnisi, saw red after an off-the-ball infringement early in the last half.

The players of Swallows confronted the lone ref angrily, accusing him of favouritism. The referee calmed the situation by reprimanding their midfielder, Arthur Muligi, with a card. Mbokota scored the equalizer moments thereafter.

The situation got out of hand when the referee awarded a penalty to Mbokota Together in the 78th minute after their striker, Rhulani Malope, was brought down within the box. Again the angry Swallows players pointed at the referee with accusing fingers, saying he was "bought".

Michael Mulaudzi was cautioned with a card for a continued argument with the referee. The fans and officials of Swallows plunged onto the pitch shortly after the final whistle. "Vha pfi vho nnyi nahone vha bva gai?" (Who are you and where do you come from) asked one of the fans who was holding a 5-liter container with sorghum beer.

The referee replied in Xitsonga. "It is not surprising that you are a Shangaan speaking person. It was clear from the beginning that you wanted your Shangaans to win the match," said the fan. What came next was a shocking situation, as the fan doused the referee with beer without further utterances.

The referee told a reporter of Mirror, who witnessed the whole situation, that he would submit a report about the incident. The report was still to be submitted to the association’s offices in Thohoyandou at the time of going to press.