Moroka Swallows are likely to get slapped with a fine by the PSL for the upheaval caused by their fans in the defeat to Chippa United at the weekend, but coach Zeca Marques seems not bothered that their actions brought the league into disrepute.
The Dube Birds fans were up in arms at Dobsonville Stadium after referee Lwandile Mfiki sent off midfielder Anver Esterhuizen, assistant coach Fani Madida and goalkeeper coach Edgard Da Silva.
Esterhuizen was shown a straight red card for elbowing Chippa midfielder Uzochukwu Ugonna, although the decision seemed to be harsh, while the two members of the technical team showed dissent towards the referee.
Mfiki had to be escorted off the pitch by the police to protect him from fans who had pulled down the barrier separating the crowd and players.
Marques was pleased that the anger of the fans was for once not directed at him. “I am gutted that we had to lose under these conditions,” he said after the defeat, the third of the campaign for the Birds.
“The fans were disappointed. I saw them having a go at the referee. I am happy that they saw that we did not lose because were bad, but we lost because the game was conditioned. For once the supporters vented their frustrations on the person that they should vent their frustrations to. The referees have an important role to play and when they make mistakes, they should face the brunt. They should face the consequences. We all do.
“I think it was unfair that Fani and Edgard had to be sent off. I have seen worse. I do not know what they said to the referee. I was already in the changeroom. This is a game over emotions.”
Esterhuizen was sent off on the stroke of half-time and Chippa took advantage of the extra man in the second period, scoring two goals to spoil the party for Swallows, who had announced Hyundai as their new main sponsors before kick-off.
“It’s our striker. It was his first game and he was doing well and he was putting them under pressure. The minute you take that out of the equation, then what are you going to fight with? I know for a fact that was a game-changer for us.
“The red card conditioned the game. The result does not portray the way we played.
“We would have liked to give our sponsors joy, but that did not happen. I am disappointed.”
Esterhuizen felt the referee was too harsh on him, claiming he did not touch Ugonna. - Pretoria News