Referees handed six week ban for AmaZulu-Chiefs penalty blunder

Referee Jelly Chavani and 4th official Moeketsi Molelekoa have been handed a six week ban from officiating in Premier Soccer League matches for their roles in the decision to award Kaizer Chiefs a stoppage time penalty in their 1-1 draw with AmaZulu on Saturday.

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Keagan Dolly converted the penalty, but replays showed the penalty, given for handball, had struck Thapelo Xoki on the shoulder at worst, with his arms tucked behind his back.

The South African Football Association sent out a statement late on Wednesday that read:

The South African Football Association (SAFA) Referees Review Committee met on Monday, 4 October 2021 to analyse and discuss refereeing performance over the last round of National Soccer League (NSL) matches.

In reference to PSL41 featuring Amazulu FC vs Kaizer Chiefs FC, played on Saturday, 2 October 2021 at Johnsson Kings Park, the Review Committee noted the following, with specific reference to the incident that occurred in the 90+3 minutes.

• The match officials, with specific reference to the Referee, erred in his overall game management of the penalty area incident;
• The Referee and the 4th Official erred in their interpretation and application of the Laws of the Game with specific reference to considerations and guidelines pertaining to Handball as covered under Law 12 of the IFAB Laws of the Game.

As such:

• The overall result of the game had been altered because of this error of judgement;
• Amazulu FC were unduly prejudiced by this decision.

Therefore, the SAFA Review Committee found that:

• The match Referee, Mr Jelly Chavani and the 4th Official, Mr Moeketsi Molelekoa by erring, have been found guilty of executing their duties in an unacceptable manner and have duly been suspended from officiating in matches in the Glad Africa 1st Division and DSTV Premiership for a period of six (6) weeks.
• During this time, the SAFA Referees Technical Sub-Committee will oversee the rehabilitation of these match officials, to ensure that they are fully debriefed and better equipped in the future.

SAFA will continue to require high standards from its match officials and while acknowledging this was refereeing error, match officials must accept that if they err to this extent, there must be consequences.