SuperSport United coach Gavin Hunt has weighed in on the ongoing public feud between TS Galaxy coach Sead Ramovic and Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena, calling it a detriment to the DStv Premiership.

Hunt believes the Premier Soccer League (PSL) should intervene to maintain a professional image for the league and its sponsors.

The animosity between Ramovic and Mokwena began in October 2023 when TS Galaxy defeated Sundowns in the Carling Knockout. Tensions escalated when Mokwena questioned the scheduling of the match, which conflicted with Bafana Bafana duties for some Sundowns players. Ramovic took offense, arguing that Sundowns’ multi-million-rand squad had ample depth to compensate for missing players.

A tackle by Sundowns’ Bongani Zungu that fractured Bernard Parker’s foot in the same match further inflamed the situation. During their next encounter that happened a fews ago at Loftus Stadium, Mokwena claimed on SuperSport TV after the game to have been informed that Ramovic instructed his players not to forget what happened to Parker. This accusation sparked outrage TS Galaxy, leading to a lawsuit against Mokwena for failing to retract or substantiate his claims.

Hunt emphasizes the importance of mutual respect among coaches, even during rivalries. He argues that the PSL needs to address the situation to prevent it from damaging the league’s image and sponsorship relationships.

“When you go and do your coaching licenses, there’s a certain etiquette, there’s a certain respect, you don’t have to be on someone’s Christmas card list and mine on yours, but you can have a certain respect and you can’t let it go off the field,” said Hunt. 

“I think there must be a certain level of respect, and I do think, honest opinion, the league should get involved and something should happen.

“You can’t just let these things go like this because it’s going to continue and it’s a reflection on your sponsorships and all these types of things. 

 “So, these things it doesn’t look like either one is going to give in. There’s nothing wrong with having a rivalry. We have one and there’s nothing wrong with that, you don’t even have to shake hands or talk to the guy, but there’s got to be respect around these things.”

Hunt uses the example of rivalries between prominent managers like Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola, highlighting that competitiveness can coexist with professional conduct.

“Jose Mourinho doesn’t like Pep Guardiola, Pep doesn’t like these guys that level, but there’s a certain level of respect, said the fourth time league winning coach.

“It looks like the league might have to get involved now I think, or something has to happen.” 

Hunt suggests mediation between the coaches or enforcing the existing code of conduct within the league. The escalating feud raises concerns about the league’s ability to maintain a professional atmosphere and the potential for copycat behavior among other coaches.

“I think they need to sort it out, they need to get into a room if they can – I don’t think it will happen because it’s gone a little bit too far now but there’s a code of conduct, a code of ethics in the business that needs to happen,” said Hunt.