Middendorp demands action on refereeing standards

Cape Town Spurs coach Ernst Middendorp has expressed outrage and called for an investigation by the PSL and SAFA into what he deems unacceptable behaviour from match officials in the Motsepe Foundation Championship.

Ernst Middendorp is not a happy man

Speaking via a video posted on CT Spurs’ social media on Tuesday, Middendorp highlighted his team’s mixed results since their relegation from the Betway Premiership last season, noting they have not won in their last three matches, including a 1-1 draw against Upington City FC over the weekend.

Middendorp questioned the officiating, stating, “What can be the reason for it [poor officiating]? Are they overloaded? Are they overloaded with too much work? Are they overloaded outside? Whatever it is, this is not acceptable anymore.”

He cited issues in recent games against Durban City FC, Milford, and Upington City, expressing frustration particularly with home match officiating.

He emphasised, “We had managers and CEOs in the NFD who have already been caught. They were arrested, and they still are in the service of clubs in the NFD. This is not right.”

Middendorp urged both the PSL and SAFA to take immediate action to address ongoing officiating problems, saying, “We worked seven days to prepare our game… The clubs are spending a huge amount of money, and then you have games like this? This must be investigated immediately if you want to have a fair development or fair progress in the NFD.”

Currently, Cape Town Spurs are positioned ninth in the league after seven matches this season.

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