Santos chief of operations Edries Burton has been fined R50,000 (suspended for 12 months) for misbehaviour, the Premier Soccer League (PSL) said on Friday.
Burton had pleaded guilty to the charge, which arose during the side's Premiership match against Golden Arrows in Cape Town last month, it said.
“Burton entered the technical area and used abusive and insulting language towards the fourth official, and had to be removed from both the technical area and the players' tunnel.
“Santos were cautioned and discharged. They will pay pro-rata cost of the sitting jointly and severally.”
Burton was also ordered to make a written apology to the PSL and to post it on the Santos and PSL websites within seven days.
The PSL's disciplinary committee dismissed a case against Platinum Stars.
They had been charged with crowd misbehaviour arising from last season's fixture against Bloemfontein Celtic.
“The reason why this was concluded now was because of the postponements we have had 1/8with the case',” said PSL prosecutor advocate Ntsietso Mofokeng. Stars would pay costs.
A charge of unruly fan behaviour had also been brought against Pirates, over the Telkom Knockout final against Wits in Durban in December.
Pirates had pleaded not guilty, the PSL said.
“Both parties led evidence this week and the matter was postponed for the panel to deliberate on a decision,” it said. – Sapa