Safa suspends referees for poor officiating

The match, which was played at Cape Town Stadium on September 22, was blighted by some poor officiating in which the home side was denied what looked like a clear goal.

“As a result, both officials have been suspended from handling any game within the National Soccer League [NSL] from 1 October to 31 December 2017. The match fee which the two were supposed to have been paid is forfeited, and their monthly stipend for the same period of October to December has also been forfeited,” read a statement issued by Safa.

“A letter has been forwarded to the NSL informing them on this development.

”On resumption of their official duties, the two will officiate in National First Division [NFD] matches and a senior match commissioner will be assigned to all of their matches to monitor them for at least four weeks.

“Officiating in any PSL fixture will only be considered thereafter provided the two achieve satisfactory results in respect of those assignments afforded during the four-week period under review,” continued the statement.

READ: Ghana FA reports PSL referee to Fifa

Safa senior referees manager Ian McLeod said the severe punishment was warranted considering the amount of negative publicity the whole scenario had hogged as a result of the two’s poor performance.

“This type of performance must not reoccur at any level in the future,” warned McLeod.

Safa chair of the technical committee Natasha Tsichlas said: “We needed to act swiftly and decisively in order to send a strong message to all match officials that such below par performances are unacceptable and measures will be taken against match officials who perform poorly.”