Sekhukhune United midfielder Thabang Monare has opened up about the Isiphandla incident reiterating that it’s a matter of rules and how they are applied.
The incident overshadowed the Betway Premiership encounter between his side and AmaZulu at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in August. There was a lengthy period Babina Noko played with 10 men as Monare was sent out to take off the traditional bracelet and AmaZulu scored while ‘Desh’ and his technical team were protesting referee Cedric Muvhali‘s decision.
Monare was eventually substituted as he did not take off the Isiphandla with Sekhukhune going on to draw the game 1-1.
The midfielder told iDiski Times journalist Lethabo Kganyago that the issue for him wasn’t about faith but about the rules of the game and how they are applied.
“I think it was very important for me to actually understand the rules of the game,” Monare told iDiski Times.
“I mean, at the end of the day, whatever happens, we have to respect the game and the rules of the game. So, my argument here is not about my faith. I’m not going to sit here and explain my faith and try and defend my faith. At the end, the rules and regulations are there.
“So the argument that I have is that if it happens to me in the same game, if I’m the person that has to be taken off because of certain things that I have within me, or certain rules, and other players from the next team play the whole 90 minutes who have the same things that I have, then that’s a problem.”
Monare added that for him it was unfair because there were players from the opposition who had their bracelets on but weren’t asked to take them off. He believes what happens on the left should also happen on the right.
“That’s my thing, you know, because I’m not going to sit here and argue or explain my faith,” added Monare.
“My argument is that if it happens to me, if it [my Isiphandla] has to be off, it has to be off from everyone. If I have to be taken off for certain things, it has to apply to everyone. It’s like if they say a professional foul is a red card, then it has to happen for everyone, that’s my argument.”
“So, I’m not going to sit and say, ‘Oh, this is what I believe in, and this is what I don’t believe in’. That’s irrelevant in this kind of an argument. So, my argument is that, if it happens to me, the next person that has the same, it has to happen to them.”
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