A TWO-MATCH ban and a record-breaking R100000 fine handed to Morgan Gould this week for his punch on BidVest Wits striker Getaneh Kebede earlier this month send out a stern warning after years of inaction by the Premier Soccer League.
But the fine also asks more questions of the league's legal system.
The Kaizer Chiefs defender was found guilty of assault after being charged some two weeks ago for punching the Ethiopian international on the jaw and knocking him cold in a bizarre incident during a league game between the two clubs at FNB Stadium.
It is a record fine for an individual as Gould will pay an effective sum of around R71000.
Half of the R100000 fine was suspended, but he was also ordered to pay the costs of the hearing, which the PSL previously pegged at R21000. They did not give the costs for Tuesday's hearing when announcing the disciplinary committee's decision.
The prosecution and sentencing of Gould means there is now again an apparent willingness on the part of the PSL to charge players for violent incidents that go unpunished on the pitch.
But Gould's sanction followed shortly after a horror on-field fracas between Chiefs and Orlando Pirates players in the Soweto derby in October, in which Bucs' midfielder Andile Jali was clearly seen on TV kicking viciously at Bernard Parker, who was on the ground.
Jali, however, is yet to be charged, more than a month after the incident - raising suspicion about selective prosecution.
There is also the question of what, if anything, will happen to referee Lwandile Mfiki, who was just metres away from the incident yet took no action when Gould punched Kebede.
Wits have written to Safa seeking punishment for Mfiki, but by yesterday Safa were unable to answer questions about whether any action had been taken, or was being planned, against the whistleman.
Safa control referees in the country.
Mfiki only recently returned to the refereeing ranks after failing his pre-season fitness test.
Is Gould's penalty selective justice?
A TWO-MATCH ban and a record-breaking R100000 fine handed to Morgan Gould this week for his punch on BidVest Wits striker Getaneh Kebede earlier this month send out a stern warning after years of inaction by the Premier Soccer League.
But the fine also asks more questions of the league's legal system.
The Kaizer Chiefs defender was found guilty of assault after being charged some two weeks ago for punching the Ethiopian international on the jaw and knocking him cold in a bizarre incident during a league game between the two clubs at FNB Stadium.
It is a record fine for an individual as Gould will pay an effective sum of around R71000.
Half of the R100000 fine was suspended, but he was also ordered to pay the costs of the hearing, which the PSL previously pegged at R21000. They did not give the costs for Tuesday's hearing when announcing the disciplinary committee's decision.
The prosecution and sentencing of Gould means there is now again an apparent willingness on the part of the PSL to charge players for violent incidents that go unpunished on the pitch.
But Gould's sanction followed shortly after a horror on-field fracas between Chiefs and Orlando Pirates players in the Soweto derby in October, in which Bucs' midfielder Andile Jali was clearly seen on TV kicking viciously at Bernard Parker, who was on the ground.
Jali, however, is yet to be charged, more than a month after the incident - raising suspicion about selective prosecution.
There is also the question of what, if anything, will happen to referee Lwandile Mfiki, who was just metres away from the incident yet took no action when Gould punched Kebede.
Wits have written to Safa seeking punishment for Mfiki, but by yesterday Safa were unable to answer questions about whether any action had been taken, or was being planned, against the whistleman.
Safa control referees in the country.
Mfiki only recently returned to the refereeing ranks after failing his pre-season fitness test.