In the wake of alleged shocking officiating in the Motsepe Foundation Championship, a coach in the second-tier league has responded to Ernst Middendorp's SOS statement.
Middendorp has put a spotlight on alleged bad refereeing decisions in the league, after putting out statements in previous weeks with accusations of clubs being "politically connected" and getting favourable decisions.
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The German was aggrieved of "no consequences" to referees who make errors and suggested that match-fixing is taking place, though not in so many words.
"After experiencing seven games, I'm brave to say that referees intentionally guide games to a desired outcome," a fuming Middendorp blurted.
In the same week, a viral video has been making rounds on social media of an incident from a match between Casric Stars and Venda Football Club last Sunday, where Venda scored from what appeared to be a huge offside in the build-up.
A coach in the MFC, speaking on condition of anonymity, reflected on Middendorp's comments and said he was surprised he would spend so much time criticizing referees, after he was against it during his time at Kaizer Chiefs.
"We have to take these matters very seriously, we must not undermine the fact that millions have been invested in this business, people losing a lot," the coach told this website.
"[Although] we do understand that it is difficult for them because there's no proper follow-up [accountability after mistakes], there's obviously no VAR.
"[However], I'm surprised that he says something like this, because he always used to say we must not complain about referees, if you remember. But it's okay, I understand where he's coming from."
During his time at Amakhosi in 2019, Middendorp was against coaches complaining about referees, as the likes of then Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane and Benni McCarthy, who was at AmaZulu FC, were vocal about referees.
The German mentor suggested, at the time, that coaches should support referees instead.
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"I don't want to go into these songs of another honourable coach inside the country, who is always complaining, saying, 'This should be, this should not be like this," Middendorp said after Chiefs beat Usuthu on penalties in the Telkom Knockout.
"I think leave the referees alone, give them the support. I think that's our responsibility as coaches too."