Refereeing standards in shambles, SAFA must take action, says Victor Hlungwani

Two match officials have been suspended with only three matches to the new season, and the retired DStv Premiership referee Victor Hlungwani is predicting more will follow unless SAFA does something.

Hlungwani, who officiated in the PSL for more than 20 years, says the standard of refereeing is dropping because of a lack of proper training and promoting young match officials who do not understand the laws and the basics of the game.

Siyabonga Nkomo and Thamsanqa Sebati have been suspended by SAFA’s body committee after they awarded a controversial goal to Moroka Swallows in a league match against Sekhukhune United. Babina Noko eventually lost the match 2-1 at the Peter Mokaba on 16 August.

“I think we have seen lots of mistakes from the referees. And it is still early in the season, which makes football fans, players, and coaches start worrying,” Hlungwani told FARPost.

VICTOR HLUNGWANI CALL FOR SAFA TO TAKE ACTION to improve officiating

“I think it is time for the SAFA Technical Committee to do something before it gets worse. And we do not want to have a situation where referees will be suspended every weekend.

“I know most of the referees, and I think some of them have been promoted without proper induction and development.

“We need to go back to the basics and teach them the laws of the game. This will help to avoid many mistakes. But we still have good referees like Skhumbuzo Gasa, who had a good game when Sundowns played against Sekhukhune. And he gave two correct red cards.

“I think we should also ensure that referees have relevant national qualifications to be at the PSL level. SAFA shouldn’t just take anyone because he or she wants to be a referee,” added the 47-year-old, who hung up his whistle at the end of last season.

Asked about the VAR (Video Assistant Referee), Hlugwani, who is now working as Head of Development at SAFA Gauteng and as the referee analyst at SABC Sport, said: “Yes, I think it is time to introduce VAR in the Premiership as it will help limit referees’ mistakes.

“But before VAR, our referees must be well trained and know the basics of football, or else it won’t help.”

Story by Tshifhiwa Luvhengo

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