The referee who officiated the SAFA Vhembe MMK Administrators league match between the log leaders in Stream E, Makhitha Iyarunga, and Maebane Young Eagles at Makhitha on Sunday was allegedly assaulted.

The match was later abandoned as the referee, Mr Ndifelani Mathabwe, felt threatened.

According to the coach of Makhitha, Mr Africa Monyeloete, the score was 0-0 when the referee awarded them a free kick. Masala 'Mageda' Ramashia scored from the free kick and officials and supporters of Young Eagles stormed onto the pitch to protest to the referee and accused him of being biased.

Monyeleote said that the ball had crossed the goal line and the keeper of the opponents had handled the ball after it had crossed the goal line and the referee pointed to the centre line for a goal. It is alleged that an official of Young Eagles then rushed to the referee and beat him, accusing him of robbing them.

During the chaos, officials of the Iyarunga allegedly tried to calm down the situation by requesting the supporters to leave the pitch. The officials and players of the home team then protected the referee and he blew the final whistle in the 64th minute.

According to Referee Mathabwe, he was surprised by the attitute of Young Eagles, because it was a legitimate goal. After the match, an official of Young Eagles, Mr Squera Modaku, said that he was shocked and disappointed by the manner in which the referee had handled the game. He stressed the fact that losing a match unfairly demoralized both the players and the technical staff, saying it took an effort to keep the team fit and strong.

The chairperson of the Safa Vhembe competition committee, Mr Mulimisi Muneri, said they were concerned about the incident. "We want players to use soccer as a form of entertainment and create friendship with each other. Young Eagles will be called to appear before a disciplinary committee and they will be charged for the abandonment of the game and assaulting the referee."