South Africa: Referees' Review Committee Suspends Top Match Officials

The Referees' Review Committee, citing poor performance, has sanctioned several top officials in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) and National First Division (NFD).

The Committee was unanimous that the new match officials' disciplinary code stipulates that acts of poor performance that have been committed through blatant refereeing mistakes by not interpreting the Laws of the Games accordingly, MUST be sanctioned.

"The Referee or the assistant Referee that has committed an incident affecting the outcome of the game shall immediately cease to be appointed for matches until such time that the matter has been dealt with and finalised," reads part of the code of conduct.

After going through all recorded matches, the following decisions were reached:

In the match between Kaizer Chiefs and Bidvest Wits (19 December 2015), assistant referee Johannes MOSHIDI was deemed to have performed poorly and will not be appointed for National Soccer League matches for a period of 6 weeks. He will also forfeit his stipend for a period of one month.

Referee Phillip TINYANE will also be missing from action for a period of 4 weeks after his performance was deemed not satisfactory in the clash between Bidvest Wits and Platinum Stars (3 February 2016).

In the Free State Stars vs Bloemfontein Celtic (31 January 2016) encounter and the highly publicized top of the table clash between Kaizer Chiefs vs Mamelodi Sundowns (9 January 2016), assistant referee Sandile DILIKANE was found to have officiated poorly. He will not be eligible for appointments for the National Soccer League matches for a period of 4 weeks and will also forfeit his stipend for one month.

Referee Daniel VOLGRAAFF will have his fitness reassessed before he can be allowed back on the field following a string of poor decisions including incorrect interpretation and application of the Laws in the Mbombela United vs Black Leopards (31 January 2016) clash.

Referee Victor HLUNGWANI's several decisions in two matches - Orlando Pirates vs Platinum Stars (9 January 2016) and Polokwane City vs Maritzburg United (3 February 2016) - were found to be unsatisfactory. He has been set aside for a period of 6 weeks and further hit in the pocket with the forfeiture of his stipend for a period of one month.

Assistant referee Clifford MOTAUNG has been suspended for 4 weeks after giving an incorrect decision in the Orlando Pirates vs Platinum Stars (9 January 2016) match.

Poor officiating in the Mamelodi Sundowns vs Kaizer Chiefs (16 December 2015) clash has resulted in referee Kulasande QONGQO not being assigned any duties for a period of 6 weeks and forfeited his stipend for one month.

In the same fixture, Match Commissioner George BOODHOO was found to have performed his duties poorly. He was also sanctioned for his report in the Orlando Pirates vs Platinum Stars (9 January 2016) match. Boodhoo will be sidelined for a period of 4 weeks.

The sanctions are with immediate effect.

"These sanctions are consistent with our main objective of ensuring that our match officials remain highly competitive and sought after throughout the continent and globally," said Peter Sejake, SAFA head of Referees.

Sejake said he was not worried about the big number of suspensions as there are several upcoming match officials who will fill in the gap.

The suspended referees will not just be sitting at home kicking their heels, but will be considered for Provincial League under the mentorship of seasoned match commissioners in an attempt to fix their mistakes.