Matlama and LDF hit with heavy punishments

Matlama fans in trouble...

Matlama have been docked three points and three goals by the Premier League. The ruling was handed out on Wednesday.

Tse Putsoa’s punishment pertains to their abandoned league game against Lioli on November 6 at Setsoto Stadium.

Lioli were leading 2-1 with 87 minutes on the clock when Matlama fans invaded the pitch and attempted to attack the referee. The match was immediately abandonded and later clashes between rival supporters led to the fatal shooting of a Matlama fan.

Yesterday the league found Tse Putsoa guilty of misconduct. The Premier League said Matlama had violated several of its regulations. It ruled the game against Lioli will not be replayed as Matlama had hoped.

Instead, the Premier League awarded Lioli a 3-0 win.

In addition, Moses Maliehe’s charges were docked three points and three goals from their haul this season.

Tse Putsoa were further ordered to play one match behind closed doors and fined M10 000. Lioli also received a fine of M5000 for “failure to provide adequate security” for what was their designated home tie.

As a result of the ruling Matlama, who had 15 points, have fallen from fifth to eighth place in the Vodacom Premier League with 12 points. Lioli, on the other hand, are now just two points behind league leaders Kick4Life.

LDF were also punished yesterday. Sohle-Sohle were found guilty of causing the abandonment of Sunday’s Vodacom Premier League game against Bantu. Bantu were leading 2-0 before the match was halted when five LDF players assaulted two Bantu players during the match. Bantu were awarded a 3-0 win for the match. Into the bargain, LDF were docked three points and three goals and fined M10 000.

The five LDF players responsible for assaulting Bantu’s players – namely Mofolo Lepheane, ‘Matli ‘Matli, Dumane Lethakha, Tšepiso Letuma and Mohloai Koete – were suspended for the next three league games.

Bantu remain in third place in the league after the ruling but are now three points behind leaders Kick4Life with two games in hand.