Thidiela and club fined for referee abuse
BLACK Leopards boss David Thidiela’s woes have been compounded after he was fined R200 000 for abusing a referee.
After we reported recently that Thidiela had been called to a disciplinary hearing by the SA Football Association (Safa) for criticising referees in the media, the PSL confirmed yesterday that it too had fined him for “abusing a match official” during his club’s NFD fixture against Royal Eagles in December.
The match official in question is Cape Town referee Anwar Alexander, who Thidiela slammed for poor officiating despite Leopards beating Eagles 2-1.
“Black Leopards and club member, Mr David Thidiela were found guilty of two charges of abusing a match official,” confirmed the PSL yesterday.
“The club was sentenced to a monetary fine of R200 000, which is suspended for two years.
“(Thidiela) was sentenced to a fine of R200 000 of which R150 000 was suspended for two years plus a four match ban, also similarly suspended for two years.”
This means Thidiela will have to cough up R50 000, but will part with R150 000 if he repeats the offence. He’s also free to attend matches, because his ban is also suspended.
“I’ve seen the DC outcome, but I’m not going to comment at the moment,” Thidiela told Sowetan.
As reported earlier, Thidiela also faces a further sanction from Safa for allegedly bringing the association into disrepute but the matter was postponed indefinitely last month. – ..................... ......................