Another Referee Assaulted

For the second time within a month, ugly scenes reigned supreme at the National Sports Stadium on Sunday when Caps United fans assaulted referee Jimmy Makwanda after their side drew 1-1 against Simba Bhora.

Makwanda had to leave the pitch under heavy guard provided by police and Caps United marshals, shielding the match official from errant Makepekepe fans who had invaded the pitch and were baying for the referee’s blood.

Caps United’s fans who couldn’t stomach Simba Bhora’s late equaliser leading to a 1-1 draw were not happy with the way that Makwanda handled the game, with one of the missiles they threw hitting the head of the match official.

Makwanda had to leave the field with a bandage on his head.

The assault of Makwanda is the second incident of an assault on a match official to be recorded within a month at the National Sports Stadium.

At the beginning of May, assistant referee Edgar Rumeki suffered a deep cut on his arm following attacks by Dynamos fans who were frustrated by their team’s 0-0 draw against Herentals.

Dynamos and Caps United are likely to be sanctioned for acts of misconduct by their fans which are painting a bad image of the domestic game.

That referees have erred shouldn’t lead to their assault.

Fans must restrain themselves from violence, with the referees committee’s challenge being to publicly state what they have done to punish underperforming match officials.

There’s a general belief that the referees’ committee is complicit in poor performances by their members as the public isn’t made aware of how those who make glaring mistakes are dealt with in their official capacities.

Clubs also have a challenge in educating their fans and encouraging them to shun violent acts which hurts their brand as well as that of the league.

At times unwarranted remonstrations at referees by players incite fans to take matters into their own hands, leading to supporters ugly scenes. Chronicle