One of the affiliates of the Safa Vhembe Regional Soccer League, Maungani Mighty Masters, will not easily forget the day on which they caused the abandonment of their SAB League match against Tshifulanani Crystal Palace at the Tshifulanani Stadium two months ago.

Mighty Masters were summoned to appear before the league’s disciplinary committee last Saturday to answer serious questions regarding the incident. The team pleaded not guilty to the charge of causing the abandonment of the game, but was found guilty by the committee. Masters were ordered to pay a fine of R10 000 within 30 days. They also forfeited the points of the match to Crystal Palace.

Mukula Young Santos appeared before the same committee last Tuesday to answer to a charge of assaulting a league official. The incident relating to the case took place at the Makwarela Stadium on 9 June, shortly after the end of the game between Joe’s Express and Maweja Takers FC. The committee heard that an official of the league, Mr Mulalo Mafenya, was on his way to his car after the game when he was approached by a huge crowd of the fans of Mukula Young Santos.

The crowd wanted to know from Mafenya how the result of the match between Joe’s Express and Maweja Takers would affect their standing on the log. Express beat Takers 6-2 and Mafenya told them that the result meant that Joe’s Express were on top of the play-off log, by virtue of a better goal difference.

The committee further heard that one of the fans hit Mr Mafenya with his fists. Mafenya reported the matter to the police after receiving treatment at the Tshilidzini Hospital.

Santos were found guilty and were ordered to pay a fine of R5 000, half of which was suspended for a period of 12 months. The amount of R2 500 is payable within 30 days.