Benni Joins Pitso’s Chiefs-Referees’ Conspiracy Chorus

Cape Town City coach Benni McCarthy launched a conspiracy theory after his furious criticism of match officials alleging that Kaizer Chiefs got the longer end of the stick in his side’s Telkom Knockout Last 16 penalty shoot-out loss at the Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.

McCarthy just like his Mamelodi Sundowns counterpart Pitso Mosimane believes that Chiefs have been getting the rub of the green from referees in recent games‚ which has contributed to their fine start to the season.

“The referee was terrible‚ he might as well have just put on a Kaizer Chiefs shirt‚”

“No wonder Chiefs won because it was one-way traffic from the referees‚ as it has in the last few games for Kaizer Chiefs.”McCarthy told reporters after the match.

The criticism came despite Cape Town City been fortunate not to finish the game with 10 man after midfielder Mpho Makola clearly shoved referee Abongile Tom in the first half yet was not sent off. The ill-tempered match produced 12 yellow cards‚ six per side.

Earlier in the month, Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Pitso Mosimane sensationally claimed that Absa Premiership leaders Kaizer Chiefs were on the receiving end of favourable decisions from referees.

Mosimane raised ire that, the Soweto giants were receiving goodwill from referees swaying the title race in favour of Amakhosi.

“Chiefs is benefiting from all the mistakes of referees, it’s not about Chiefs but I’m highlighting the realities. Yes, it is true, no matter what it is true.” ranted Mosimane.

Two match officials involved in Chiefs games in the league were suspended for what were deemed to be dubious decisions.

Referee Mervyn van Wyk officiated during the AmaZulu vs Kaizer Chiefs match on 24 September,  and assistant referee Athuxolo Madela officiated during the Kaizer Chiefs vs Baroka match on 28 September.

Chairperson of the referees committee Anastasia Tsichlas came out firing vitriol at the two match officials.

“These mistakes are unacceptable and cannot be tolerated. But our job is to assist them during this suspension period and help them get back on track again.” said Tsichlas.

The officials were suspended from officiating any fixtures in the Premiership or first division for four weeks whilst undergoing rehabilitation from assigned referees’ instructors.

League title holders Mamelodi Sundowns will play Kaizer Chiefs at Loftus Versfeld in a top-of-the-table clash on Sunday that has generated so much hype since Mosimane and Middendorp have chose to battle it out in a game of wits off the field by engaging in mind games.

By Gerald Dandah