While celebrating Women’s Month, a number of female referees still suffer abuse from the hands of male players.
On Sunday a locally based match assessor, Cindy Ndlala was kicked in the eye during a brawl between players of a losing team and a 21-year-old female assistant referee during the quarter finals of the Umjindi Local Football Association.
This happened during the match between Satico Sawmill and Barcelona 2022 at Fairview Mine sports ground. The game ended with a 2-1 score in favour of Barcelona 2022.
“I jumped to the field to help the assistant referee who was attacked by players. That was when one of the players tried to punch me. I dived, missed the punch and fell on the ground. He continued to kick me in the eye while I was lying on the ground,” explained Cindy Ndlala.
She was injured on her left eye. A case of assault with an intent of causing grievous body harm was opened with the Barberton police. No arrest had been made so far.
