Maritzburg United

The PSL has declined Maritzburg United’s request to postpone their final DStv Premiership match of the season against Mamelodi Sundowns. Photo: Gerhard Duraan/BackpagePix

Coach set to be fined after controversial Chiefs, referee comment?

Maritzburg United coach Fadlu Davids is expecting to receive a fine as a result of his controversial comment after the loss to Chiefs.

Maritzburg United

The PSL has declined Maritzburg United’s request to postpone their final DStv Premiership match of the season against Mamelodi Sundowns. Photo: Gerhard Duraan/BackpagePix

This past weekend Maritzburg looked set to suffer a heavy defeat to Chiefs after going two goals behind early on, but they then fought back to make it 2-2 at one point.

However, Chiefs won a late penalty in the game, with referee Xola Sitela awarding the spot kick after Ashley du Preez was seen to have been fouled by Rafiq De Goede.

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It was a debatable decision, and after the game, Fadlu Davids went so far as to suggest in his post-match television interview that the referee might be a Chiefs “supporter”. 

“I just want to say [he’s] maybe a supporter, maybe a supporter,” the coach commented in a remark that caught many by surprise.

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Davids later admitted he would probably face a sanction from the PSL, but refused to take much of backstep as he called for the introduction of video assistant referee (VAR) technology.

“I’m going to get fined there, guys. I’m going to lose [this battle]. I think the less I say about it, the better,” Davids said.  “I think everybody has seen, we need VAR. It was the AmaZulu coach [Romain Folz] before and if you look at those replays, you have to go a little bit deeper into these things as a journalist. Sometimes coaches are not just saying things.  

“For the fight, for the plan, the performance and then you lose a game [based on a refereeing decision], it is not fair. It’s not fair for the players, for the hard work that they put in — but I have to lift their heads to say, ‘Take this performance and fight against all odds’.”  

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You can see what Davids said after the Chiefs loss below:

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REMAINING MATCHES FOR AMAKHOSI:

Saturday, 1 April v Stellenbosch FC (H) – 17:30

Saturday, 8 April v Marumo Gallants (H) – 20:00

Sunday, 23 April v Sekhukhune United (A) – 17:30

Thursday, 27 April v Chippa United (A) – 15:30

Tuesday, 2 May v Swallows (H) – 19:30

Saturday, 13 May v SuperSport United (A) – 15:00

Saturday, 20 May v Cape Town City FC (H) – 15:00

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Chiefs are targeting a top two finish. Photo: Flashscore