Middendorp responds to Mokwena’s ‘thuggish behaviour’ claims

After the game, Mokwena accused Middendorp of encouraging “thuggish behaviour” during the game.

“I’m extremely disappointed as a football lover that such a great spectacle is ruined by such thuggish behaviour! It’s okay to lose, OK let’s lose but don’t punch my players! I’ve got players that were kicked, punched in the face, I mean what do you say about these things. It’s thuggish behaviour!

“I mean how do we have such coaches that condone such behaviour and carry [out] such behaviour!? I mean we can’t have such things! Everybody is watching this, this is broadcast worldwide, it’s two of the biggest teams in the country and they play very good football and then we have coaches that encourages players to punch, foul and kick and be thugs on the pitch, it can’t be,” Mokwena told SuperSport TV after the Soweto derby last Saturday.

Middendorp has since responded to Mokwena’s claims.

“If you’re in a game, sorry, there’s nothing to talk about you having to kiss each other or go lightly (on the opponent),” said Middendorp.

“You do the preparations two or three days before then the 90 minutes get heated based on whatever you do intentionally or to provoke,  that’s something that happened.

“Some coaches are taking it, and sometimes you need an hour longer or a day more to eat it and process it, but I have already a friend; I don’t need another one.”

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