A SOUTH AFRICAN Premiership football match was delayed for an hour Sunday after the referee and his assistants were arrested travelling to the venue.
The officials had been scheduled to handle a first-round fixture between hosts Platinum Stars and Wits University in north-west mining town Rustenburg.
But they were stopped by police for driving a car reportedly stolen and taken to a police station before being released, a senior Premier Soccer League (PSL) official confirmed.
“Good co-operation between senior police and the league to get our match officials released. Thanks to all,” tweeted PSL general manager Derek Blackensee.
“Thanks also to both sets of match officials — the original team and the substitute team that rushed to Rustenburg to rescue the situation,” he added.
The match, which was screened live by public broadcaster SABC, kicked off 60 minutes late after stand-in referees dashed to Royal Bafokeng Stadium and finished goalless.
Platinum, shock runners-up to Kaizer Chiefs last season after being dismissed pre-season as relegation candidates, created more chances and had a goal ruled offside.
Wits, whose fourth place last season was another surprise, finished the game a man short as Zimbabwean midfielder Denver Mukamba was red carded for retaliation.
Both clubs had new coaches with Stars’ Allan Freese replacing Cavin Johnson, who joined SuperSport United after Gavin Hunt switched to Wits.
