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Ref cost us the game: Swallows

Meshack Motloung

Meshack Motloung

Moroka Swallows are to send a letter of complaint to the Premier Soccer League criticising the way the referee handled their game against Platinum Stars at Olympia Park on Monday night.

The Birds' general manager, Sipho Xulu, said he was flummoxed when referee Zolile Mthethwa awarded Stars a penalty after Swallows goalkeeper Greg Etafia stretched out his hands to save the ball from Stars midfielder Stanley Kgatla in the 52rd minute.

Kgatla tried to kick the ball out of Etafia's hands but he fell over and the referee awarded Stars a penalty that saw Swallows losi the game 1-0.

"That was not a penalty and I'm very concerned about that incident. It is sad because the players are putting everything into the game, but we get a raw deal from the referees.

"We have our dignity, our pride and our brand to defend and personally the penalty awarded to our opponents was unjust," he said.

"We're appealing to the powers that be to look into the matter, not only Swallows' side, but in all the games in the league so that justice must prevail."

Xulu added that a system should be put in place to make sure referees are responsible and answerable for their decisions.

"As a club we're losing a lot of money because of these questionable decisions by these middlemen."

Safa Referees Review Committee chairman Steve Goddard said he could not comment because he did not watch Monday's game.

"We'll wait for the video tapes and then we'll see what line of action to take."

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