The South African Football Association (SAFA) has expressed disappointment following a brawl that ensued in the KwaZulu Natal Derby when Lindelani Ladies hosted Royal AM in the Hollywoodbets Super League at the Princess Magogo Stadium on Sunday, 21 April 2024.
SAFA has stated that the two teams will be hauled in front of the Disciplinary Committee as soon as the Referee’s report has been studied.
In only their first match-up in the elite women’s football league, the two sides dished out a great performance with end-to-end stuff until the dying minutes of the game when things turned ugly.
With the score level at 1-all, Royal AM found the winner in the 90th minute and almost immediately thereafter a boxing match started with the majority of the players getting involved and the match officials having their hands full.
When the situation had calmed down, five red cards were issued the players – two from Royal AM and three from Lindelani Ladies.
“What was meant to be an entertaining KZN derby in women’s football, turned out to put the integrity of the women’s game in disarray. SAFA has received the Match Commissioners report following the incident caught live on SABC 1. The Referees report will also be studied before the two teams are called into a Disciplinary hearing. This after a fight broke out on the pitch and forced the Referee to give 5 red cards in the dying minutes of the game,” said SAFA in a statement.
Royal AM won the encounter 2-1, registering their first victory of the season after seven games. They are now 11th on the table after one win, four draws and two losses.
The hosts remain second from bottom with one win and a draw. Lindelani Ladies was promoted to the Hollywoodbets Super League last season.
By Matlhomola Morake
