The referee who was officiating during the SAFA Vhembe MMK Administrators match between Rockers and United Artists on Sunday at Makwarela FNB Stadium was allegedly assaulted shortly after the game.

The referee, Mr Patrick Tshinetise, said the supporters of the visiting team beat him and took his stopwatch, cards and shorts. He said he recognised some of the persons beating him. A case was opened at the Thohoyandou police station and the referee was later admitted to the Tshilidzini Hospital. He was discharged the following day.

Eyewitness reports describe how the players of Rockers, together with fans and officials, confronted Tshinetise after he had awarded a penalty against their team. The supporters of Rockers allegedly went onto the pitch to protest to the referee and accused him of being biased. During the chaos, officials of the team calmed the situation by requesting their supporters to leave the pitch. The situation returned to normal and the players agreed to continue with the game. The scores were still level at that stage.

With about 21 minutes left in the match, the referee gave Rockers player Tshifhiwa Ramaphosa his marching orders for allegedly hitting him. It seems as if things from then on just went from bad to worse. United Artists also scored a goal to take a 1-0 lead.

A Rockers supporter stormed onto the pitch with some four minutes left in the match and hit the referee with a fist on the forehead. The match continued, but after the final whistle blew the Rockers fans took out their wrath on the referee and doused him with traditional sorghum beer (mahafhe).

Tshinetise said that an official from United Artists came to his rescue when he fired a shot in the air. This caused the crowd to disperse. The referee is convinced that the angry Rockers players and supporters would have killed him, had it not been for the intervention of the official from United Artists.

Last month two referees, Ndifelani Mathabwe and Sengani Ravhuhali, were assaulted by players and supporters. The teams responsible, Mathabwe and Maebane Young Eagles, were given a R5 000 fine each.

According to the chairperson of the competition committee of the Safa Vhembe SAB league, Mr Mulimisi Muneri, Rockers will have to appear before a disciplinary committee.

Constable Avhafarei Tshiovhe of the Thohoyandou SAPS confirmed that a case of assault had been opened and that the police were still investigating the case.