Ex-Bafana Bafana international Teboho Mokoena believes four red cards should have been shown in the clash between the title holders and Kaizer Chiefs - 'The match was not handled in a right way'

The performance of referee Luxolo Badi during the 1-1 draw between Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs is being criticised from all corners of the country for what was a highly physical encounter that he ultimately lost control of.

While the match provided plenty of tactical intrigue, the fallout has been focused almost entirely on the safety of the players after two stars were forced off with long-term injuries.

Under Badi's watch, Keanu Cupido and Mduduzi Shabalala left the field on stretchers with fractured collarbone and a hand fracture respectfully.

The physical toll on both squads has raised questions about whether the man in the middle did enough to protect the players, with Kaizer Chiefs also believing they were denied what looked like a clear penalty when Asanele Velebayi was brought down in the box.

The ex-Bafana Bafana international says Badi's officiating overshadowed what was an entertaining match.

The former midfield hardman believes the tone was set very early in the game when players realised the referee was unwilling to usage his cards.

"Sundowns's Marcelo Allende is the one who started the whole thing, as footballers, once as a referee, you ignore the first bad tackle, you make us think 'here we can get away with murder'," Mokoena told KickOff.

The midfielder who also plied his trade in Russia, said the referee could have easily prevented this by issuing a yellow card to the very first offender.

"But he spoiled everything by allowing this thing to continue," Mokoena said.

"Once you allow one player to get away with a bad tackle it's going to be difficult for you to book the second offender.

"In our time we were bad tacklers sometimes but we were not so careless, you wouldn't dare do such under Ace Ncobo's watch."

Mokoena did not hold back in his assessment of the disciplinary action that should have been taken.

The former Sundowns man suggested that the level of aggression displayed on the pitch far exceeded the punishments handed out by the officiating team.

"There should have been four red cards at Loftus yesterday," Mokoena boldly stated when reviewing the incidents from the game.

The retired star expressed disbelief at some of the challenges that were allowed to go unpunished during the 90 minutes.

He concluded by highlighting his shock at the nature of the fouls seen on the pitch, stating:

"I've never seen a person kicking another person so deliberately when the ball had already left him and is not given a red card. The match was not handled in a right way."

The log leaders have little time to rue their Wednesday setback, as they would need to kick off preparations for their next league action, which will be against Siwelele at Loftus Versfeld on May 9.

The Brazilians will hope to guard against the unthinkable scenario of dropping further points, with their title defence increasingly under threat from Pirates.

Cardoso's men will close their campaign on the road with a trip to Mbombela on May 12 to face 2018–19 Nedbank Cup winners, TS Galaxy, who currently sit in the 12th spot.

Then it is time to shift their focus to the CAF Champions League final against AS FAR, with the first leg set for Pretoria on May 17 and return fixture on May 24.