The MMK Funeral Services League match between Budeli Real Vultures and Thula M2, which was supposed to have been played at the Budeli grounds on Saturday, did not materialize.

According to one of the officials who were supposed to have officiated during the match, Mr Eric Munyai, he and his assistants, Messrs Mulalo Netshikhudini and Livhuwani Sikhauli, arrived at the grounds about 30 minutes before the scheduled 15:00 kick-off time. He added that when they were walking to the pitch, a man who was also dressed in referee’s attire emerged from the opposite direction. The man then blew the whistle as a way of summoning the teams to the pitch.

Munyai further stated that they then approached the man and asked him why he was there as they had been duly appointed to officiate in that match. The man allegedly told them that he had also been appointed to officiate in the match and that he had no assistants. The man then told Munyai and his crew that he had been appointed by a certain referee selector, named Mr Makamu.

According to Munyai, they tried to call Mr Makamu, but couldn't get hold of him. They then called Mr Collins Netshiongolwe, the man who had appointed the trio, for clarity on the matter. Netshiongolwe told the man to leave, saying he had not been appointed to officiate in the match.

That, according to Munyai, was an insult to the fans and officials of Budeli Real Vultures. They allegedly told Munyai and his assistants that they were the ones who should leave the place or else the match would not be played. Munyai stated that the angry officials told them that it would be unfair of them to officiate during the match, while the man who had arrived at the grounds about two hours before the scheduled kick-off time "went back home with empty hands".

What followed thereafter was a heated argument between Mr Munyai and his crew and the club officials. Munyai said that they were manhandled and that he was doused with beer. “Realizing that our lives were in danger, we left immediately,” Munyai said.

The league’s administrative officer, Mr Mulalo Mafenya, confirmed the incident, saying they had received reports from both Mr Munyai and his crew and the clubs. He stated that Budeli Real Vultures would be summoned to appear before the league’s disciplinary committee soon to give answers to charges relating to the abandonment of the match.