Cardoso Alleges Officials Visited Referees Ahead Of Matches

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has made explosive claims that officials from certain teams visit referees on the morning of matches, raising concerns about the integrity of football in South Africa.

Cardoso made the remarks following Sundowns’ narrow 2–1 win over Motsepe Foundation Championship side Gomora United in their Nedbank Cup last-32 clash at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Wednesday.

Although he did not name the teams, officials, or referees involved, the Portuguese coach said he had been shown photographic evidence of such meetings and described the situation as worrying for the game.

“When we start to have VAR in matches, things will improve because there will be no suspicions about anyone,” Cardoso said during a heated post-match press conference.

“Here in South Africa, it becomes interesting that officials from some teams visit referees on the morning of the matches.

“Look at this, because today [Wednesday] I saw a photo. I had never seen this before. It was the first time I saw officials from one team visiting the referee of that game at night.

“That happened very recently, maybe yesterday [Tuesday]. These are the things we need to worry about in football,” he added.

Cardoso is currently under mounting pressure at Sundowns following last Friday’s CAF Champions League group-stage defeat to Al Hilal, a result that has left the club with little room for error.

The loss was a major setback, with Sundowns now needing to win their remaining two group matches to secure a place in the knockout stages.

Failure to achieve that target could spell the end of Cardoso’s tenure, as the club appointed him in December 2024 with one clear objective: to deliver CAF Champions League success.