'Unsportsmanlike Conduct': Orlando Pirates Player Paseka Mako Criticised for Spying On Dondol Stars

• Paseka Mako sparked controversy during a Nedbank Cup quarter-final match between Orlando Pirates and Dondol Stars
• He was spotted blatantly listening in during an opposition huddle by the ABC Motsepe Championship side amid a water break
• This led to questions about the legality of what was unfolding to which former referee Andile Ncobo had an earnest reaction

Premier Soccer League general manager, Andile 'Ace' Ncobo has frowned on the conduct of Paseka Mako over the weekend.

The diminutive Orlando Pirates full-back listened in on Dondol Stars' instruction session during a water break, while the absorbing Nedbank quarter-final between the two sides was unfolding at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane last Saturday.

Speaking on SuperSport's review programme Extra Time, the former FIFA referee admitted there was no rule against Mako's actions.

"But anything that has the potential to brew trouble shouldn't be done. Imagine if he had been discovered standing there stealing information. It is unsporting conduct. The moment they should push him away, the person who is pushing him is the one who gets disciplined by the referee. This is a gentleman's game."

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Ncobo said he understood the 'agent' side of the situation but believes players should not do things which have the potential to create trouble.

"...It is a gentleman's game. There are certain unwritten codes in football that you can and cannot do. Every time a referee takes action, that action must find an expression in the laws of the game. So the moment he [Mako] walked there and asked 'what wrong have I done', you are not going to find an answer. However, the coaches must advise players not to do that. It's got the potential to brew trouble."

Dondol Stars denied clear penalty

Beyond the Mako incident, the match was a source of more controversy, Sports Brief has also reported.

In one instance, Dondol Stars were denied a stonewall penalty when the player fouled Tshepo Makungo.

SuperSport's Extra Time panel was united in citing the reason why the opposition team had been robbed.