Johannesburg - Black Leopards coach Ian Palmer has reportedly been suspended by his Premier Soccer League club for disciplinary reasons.

According to the football411 website, recent reports suggested the former Maritzburg United boss, who only recently took over at Lidoda Duvha following the sacking of Sunday Chidzambwa, had fallen out with a number of players over his poor treatment of them.

Chairperson David Thidiela also had to deny news of an altercation between him and Palmer following the 2-1 defeat to Free State Stars.

According to the New Age the heated exchange took place at a meeting at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Monday morning.

They reported: "He (Thidiela) stormed into the meeting and started hurling insults at the coach. A heated exchange of words took place when the coach was told to leave the team as the results have been bad.

"The coach then decided to leave and went to the car to calm down. Thidiela then sent assistant coach Abel Makhubela to try to speak to the coach before they resolved the matter. The coach will be on the bench tomorrow but he is aware that unless the team start winning, he will be fired."

Palmer has only managed to guide Leopards to two wins, one draw and four losses in his short time at the club with Makhubela appointed caretaker coach ahead of Wednesday evening's PSL clash with Bloemfontein Celtic.

Former captain Duncan Lechesa is, however, favourite to take the job on a full-time basis.

The Sowetan published quotes from an unnamed Leopards source, saying: "I can confirm Ian has been suspended. Abel will be in charge of the coaching staff in the game against Celtic."

The newspaper added that it was Palmer's unruly behaviour, after he "kicked a cooler bag in the dressing-room after the loss to Free State Stars last Saturday", adding that: "they are also unhappy with his team selection policy".

And a further meeting with Thidiela failed to yield any results.

"Ian surprised us by coming late to Sunday's training session," said the source. "Two weeks ago, there was a war of words between Ian and team manager Sam Khaphathe on matters relating to discipline of players, who were not wearing uniform."