Maema, Castillo tackle verdict delivered

The post-match controversy regarding the match between Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs has continued after a verdict on Neo Maema's tackle on Edson Castillo by a refereeing expert.

Sundowns hammered Chiefs 5-1 in the DStv Premiership last Thursday, but The Brazilians' resounding win was somewhat tainted by a red card to the home side's defender, Given Msimango, in the 19th minute, with the score still goalless.

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Before the Msimango incident, where he made a tackle on Lucas Ribeiro Costa as a last defender, there appeared to be a foul by Thembinkosi Lorch on Thatayaone Ditlhokwe, which many felt was deserving of punishment.

However, the biggest incident, it appears, actually took place earlier, 10 minutes before Msimango was sent off, as Maema made a lunging tackle on Castillo and only got away with a yellow card.

According to former PSL referee Victor Hlungwani, Maema should have been sent off even if he touched the ball first because he had a straight leg that should be deemed as serious foul play.

"We saw Neo Maema with a straight-leg tackle on Castillo, there was full contact with studs. Whether you touch the ball first or not, you can't go and lunge at an opponent," Hlungwani said, speaking on Metro FM.

"When you lunge at an opponent, you're endangering the safety of an opponent and therefore the player should be sent off. Even though the player got the ball, there was a straight leg even if he made contact with the ball, so that means wherever it will land, he will endanger the safety of an opponent.

"It was very dangerous. 

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"It's a serious foul play, so serious foul play is a send-off offence, the player should have