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Mabizela in hot water

MBULELO "OJ" Mabizela's action at the end of Platinum Stars' match with Vasco Da Gama in Rustenburg could land him in trouble.

An angry Mabizela charged at one of the fans when supporters expressed their disappointment about the defender's display in their 2-0 loss to Vasco Da Gama in the Nedbank Cup last-16 match at Royal Bafokeng Stadium, in Rustenburg, on Saturday.

Matters reached boiling pont when fans insulted Mabizela, who had a bad day in the office on Saturday.

As the former Bafana Bafana and Orlando Pirates captain was making his way to the tunnel, taunts from the home team's supporters saw him charging at a fan and he had to be restrained by security personnel.

The hugely talented but temperamental Mabizela, who played for English Premiership club Tottenham Hotspur, insists he did not fight with the fan.

"Nothing really happened between me and the supporter," Mabizela told Sowetan yesterday.

But Stars general manager Jason Raine said the defender would be dealt with harshly.

"I didn't see the incident but if that is indeed what happened, Mabizela will face the full might of the disciplinary committee. If he is found guilty, he will be severely fined and punished," Raine said.

The incident could also mark the end of Mabizela's stay with the club he joined in 2009.

He has been strongly linked with a move back to the Buccaneers' ship and if what Raine said was anything to go by, then his days as a Stars player could be numbered.

"We have been begging supporters to come and watch the team play and for him to have done that is unacceptable and does not bode well for contract negotiations," Raine said.

Opposition players also found Mabizela's action unacceptable.

Vasco Da Gama striker Sibusiso "Rhee" Zuma said a seasoned professional like Mabizela should know better.