adminAllen Khumalo, Sports Reporter
LADUMA have been awarded the abandoned Bulawayo Amateur Football Association (BAFA) Townshend and Butcher Cup semi-final following chaotic scenes that enveloped their semi-final clash with Laduma last Sunday.
The match was called off in the 76th minute when the referee red carded Laduma’s Dominic Nyika for dissent after he had been brought down inside the Madamara box.
The referee first awarded Nyika a free kick on the edge of the box before showing him a straight red after a heated exchange.
Laduma players protested and the referee changed his mind and pointed to the spot, triggering chaotic scenes as both sets of players pushed and shoved each other.
The referee then called off the match as he had totally lost control of proceedings. Laduma will therefore battle it out for the title against Rebels FC on October 2 at the Barbourfields Stadium outside grounds.
“BAFA met on Monday to deliberate on the semi-final clash between Madamara and Laduma.
“Guided by the rules of the association, the referees’ reports and the Townshend and Butcher tournament, we decided that Laduma FC should qualify for the final,” said BAFA chairman Chris Mutungwazi.
According to the tournament rules, unless caused by force majeure (unavoidable accident), abandoned matches shall be deemed as won by the team not causing the abandonment of the game.
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