THOHOYANDOU - Violence broke out towards the end of the match between Maebane Aces United and Tshikombani Super Stars played at Maebane Sports ground recently.

The referee, Mr Lawrance Muenda was allegedly assaulted with fists and other dangerous instruments during the brawl. According to the referee's report, the match started well with both teams fighting for superiority. He said the score in the game was 2-0 in favour of Super Stars when violence broke out. He said the second half was 30 minutes old when he gave Edward Liremi his marching orders for a second bookable offence.

According to him immediately after he had red carded the player, the player punched him in his face with a fist, protesting that he should not have shown him a red card.

He indicated that it was after he had retaliated, that other Aces players came to him and started to attack him. He said an official of Super Stars, who shot a warning shot into the air, let the crowd disperse.

According to him, the angry Aces players would have killed him, had it not been for the official.

According to the referee, the situation became normal after 20 minutes. He said when he wanted to continue with the game, the officials of Aces United refused, citing that the situation was no longer conducive for them to carry on with the game. He said he had no option but to stop the game.

Following the incident, Maebane Aces United had an urgent meeting where they took a decision of suspending three of their players who took part in the brawl. The three players who have been suspended from playing soccer for the remainder of the first half of the season are Edward Liremi, Tebogo Kgosithebe and Tshianeo Lamula.

However, the office of Northern Province East Region appreciates the efforts made by Aces when they suspended their players but warns Aces that their decision to suspend the players will not exonerate the club from being charged for misconduct. The statement further congratulated Aces for acting bravely in trying to root out corrupt elements within the club and that their decision will be a lesson to other clubs.