Posted in News on May 09, 2013.
Kaizer Chiefs Head Coach Stuart Baxter will watch his side’s two remaining ABSA Premiership matches from the stands after he was sent off by referee Victor Gomez for the use of ‘abusive foul language’, directed to assistant referee Edward Madidilane in a Nedbank Cup Semifinals match between Kaizer Chiefs and United FC on 4 May 2013 at the FNB Stadium.
Speaking via kaizerchiefs.com, Coach Baxter lamented the incident; “I was probably overemotional on the day after receiving the news of the death of my goalkeeper at my former club AIK in Stockholm, Sweden. Ivan Turina died in his sleep on the 2nd of May, the news that shattered not only me but my whole family and sent shock waves in Swedish football.
On the incident that happened in the 91st minute Baxter raised a few concerns; “It was at the end of the game and I had not been warned before this incident. At the end of the day I take responsibility for my actions”.
Baxter was unequivocal in his apology to the referee, PSL, Kaizer Chiefs in its entirety and all the stakeholders concerned;” I would like to apologise for my action to the referee and I regret that this happened - although it was in the heat of the moment.”
On the question of his team being affected by his absence from the bench; “Maybe the punishment will turn out to be positive for my players as they will not have to deal with a constant barrage of instructions from the bench”, concluded Baxter with a bit of a chuckle. Mechanisms will be put in place during the preparation of the team for the affected games to ensure minimum impact on the team. Assistant Coach Doctor Khumalo who has been at the helm several times before will be equal to the task of steering the ship during the absence of the Head Coach from the bench.
The Club accepted the Coach’s apology and expressed concern with the unfortunate lack of consistency with the application of the rules.
The games that will be affected are the ABSA Premiership games against SuperSport United and Pretoria University to be played on the 15th and 18th May respectively.
