This relates to incidents which occurred in the Absa Premiership match between Free State Stars and Platinum Stars played at Goble Park on 10 October 2009.
In the 85th minute of the match, the entire Free State Stars bench, including reserve players moved out of their technical area and went to confront the 1st assistant referee on the decision taken, thus inciting the Free State Stars fans, who as a result hurled all manner of insults at the match officials and thus behaved in an unsporting and disorderly manner.
Furthermore, after the final whistle was blown, Free State Stars spectators misbehaved by throwing all sorts of objects at the match officials, which notably included, but was not limited to a rubbish bin thrown at them as well as stones, one of which actually hit the 2nd assistant referee on the hip.
Free State Stars pleaded guilty as charged and were fined R150 000 of which R50 000 is payable immediately and the remaining R100 000 suspended for 12 months.
In the same match, Free State Stars player, Sthembiso Ngcobo was also charged for using abusive language towards the referee and was meant to have appeared before the PSL DC this evening.
But a separation of trial was ordered and Ngcobo will appear before the DC on a date still to be announced.
