The 35th edition of the Bayhill Premier Cup will forever be remembered for three aspects: upsets, controversy and fisticuffs.
The latter had spectators in shock on day five of this Easter spectacle at the Erica Park Sports Complex when a fight broke out between Cape Town Spurs and Young Bafana Academy immediately after the final whistle of the quarterfinal of the Winners Section.
The match, won 1-0 by Spurs was an ill-tempered affair during regulation time. It also doesn’t help that a referee from the Cape Town Tygerberg LFA officiates in a match where one of the LFA’s clubs are involved.
Furthermore, the referee Ryan New could have been more decisive and assertive with some crucial decisions. Those who watched the game closely will agree that certain tackles from both sides were left unpunished.
But no one expected the ugly and inexcusable scenes that played out after the match when a scuffle broke out and things completely spiralled out of control – so much so that both sets of technical teams had to sprint onto the field to intervene.
For a moment one thought it was a Sundal league match with the profanities and physicality playing out.
Both Spurs and Young Bafana should take full responsibility for their action – Spurs for obvious reasons as they are a pro-outfit and should be schooled to know better.
One can only imagine what is going through the minds of the debutants Elsies River United as they were told and warned early on by the organisers to ‘los julle Elsies-maniere by die huis’ (Leave you Elsies River manners at home).
It is also the first time in the history of the Bayhill Cup that players from opposing teams physically abused one another with the intent to hurt and injure – and this is a real shame as robbed an amateur team like FN Rangers, who beat FC Porto in another quarterfinal played at the same time, from their minute of glory.
What is baffling is why the referee, Ryan New, did not caution any of the players after the game as players from both sides went in with flying kicks and punches and deserved to be sent off.
Strangely, the referee took aim at journalists who were filming the incident and even went as far as suggesting that their accreditation be taken away.
** No Bones with Jones‘ message to referee New: We report the news, we don’t make it!
* Rangers have been drawn against Highlands Park in the one semi today (Sunday) at 18:00 while Mamelodi Sundowns, who beat Cape Town City on penalties, will take on CT Spurs at 19:30
One Response
Obscene behaviour coupled with a litany of profanities and acts of violence can never be condoned. Theorists will come up with reasons as to why it happened, but it’s really inexcusable. Violence has permeated our society to such an extent that is now even seen as a solution to settle disputes on the soccer pitch, instead of allowing the ball doing the talking. It’s sad when you have incompetent officials who lack the assertiveness and decisiveness required to manage the behaviour of soccer players. Society is in tatters, while the behaviour of youngsters in a soccer match at such a tournament is a manifestation of the current state of affairs. Let’s hope that the perpetrators will be punished to send out a stern warning that in the future such scandalous behavior will not be tolerated.