Middendorp slams officiating in NFD, calls for investigation

Cape Town Spurs coach Ernst Middendorp has been left disappointed with officiating after his side’s draw by Upington FC in the Mother City last weekend.

The Urban Warriors, who finished the game with 10 men after Michael Morton was shown a red card, were held to a  1-1 draw by Uppington City in a Motsepe Foundation Championship clash.

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The result saw Spurs drop down to ninth place in the league standings, six points adrift of log leaders Durban City.

After the game, an infuriated Middendorp came short of accusing the referees of accepting bribes from club officials.

“Penalties today at least two, it’s a clear handball 20 metres in front of the linesman. The [pulling of] pants from this opponent, Upington, [the pant] is in his hands but what happens? We can’t go on like this, it’s not acceptable anymore,” said Middendorp.

“We have had it in the Durban City game, we had it in the Milford game, and we had it here now. It has even started in our home games. I can accept it when it’s away games but in home games, we see irritation of the highest level,” he added.

Middendorp called on the Premier Soccer League (PSL) and the South African Football Association (SAFA) to investigate officiating in the National First Division.

“The referees at this moment are acting. How they are running around on stage, I think they make themselves [look like] fools.

“I must make it very clear this is not acceptable and this should be investigated immediately if we want to have a fair development, fair progress for the best running in the NFD.”

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Following these utterances, Middedorp could face the music from the PSL, but the German says he is ready for whatever action the League takes against him.

“I hope you will hear it and hope you will do something, it does not matter if it’s PSL, if it’s NFD or SAFA but do something and if you want to take me out for the rest of the season do it,” Middendorp concluded.

Spurs are away to Kruger United in their next Motsepe Foundation League on Sunday.