Safa suspends underperforming referees
The South African Football Association (Safa) Referees Review Committee has decided to sanction several match officials for poor officiating.
Safa Referees,Ria Ledwaba and Outsurance sponsor SAFA referees during the Outsurance sponsorship to SAFA referees Announcement at SAFA House on September 11, 2018 in Johannnesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images)
One of the referees who was suspended by the football body is referee Phelelani Ndaba following his poor performance in the match between SuperSport United and Bidvest Wits.
Ndaba will not be allowed to officiate in all National Soccer League (NSL) matches for three months after he denied Wits a clear goal following a chat with his assistant referee on the sidelines during the game.
Ndaba’s assistant referee Abel Maphutha has also been suspended for three months for his role in the disallowed Wits goal.
In statement, Safa also announced the suspensions and demotions of other referees who have been underperforming.
“Another official who has been sanctioned is referee Thokozani Mkhize who has had a series of poor game-changing decisions in matches involving Golden Arrows vs Amazulu and Stellenbosch vs TS Galaxy.
“Mkhize has also been demoted to the SAB/SASOL leagues and will not officiate NSL matches for the next three months.
“Elphas Sitole who had poor decisions in matches involving Supersport United vs Orlando Pirates and Wits vs Black Leopards has also been hit hard as he has been removed from officiating in NSL matches for the next three months and will be monitored while handling Regional League matches.
“John Landela whose performance in matches involving Tshakhuma vs Ubuntu Cape Town and Kaizer Chiefs vs Golden Arrows will not be appointed in top flight games for the next three months and will also be assessed while handling lower league games,” read the Safa statement.
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