SAFA suspends three match officials for erroneous call

The SAFA Review Committee has suspended three match officials for four months following a significant error in a recent match.

The fixture was the Motsepe Foundation Championship match between Casric Stars and Venda FC.

As first reported by SABC Sport, referee Velaphi Sicelo, assistant referee Jantjie Dlamini, and fourth official Tshediso Maruping have been sidelined due to a collective failure to identify an offside goal that ultimately decided the match. Venda won the game 3-2 courtesy of the controversial goal.

The incident, which occurred in added time at the Lucas Moripe Stadium, sparked widespread criticism and scrutiny of the PSL’s officiating standards.

The review committee concluded that the officials’ lack of teamwork and communication directly impacted the match’s outcome.

Despite the game not being televised, video footage of the incident circulated on social media, further highlighting the severity of the error.

It’s important to note that the review committee’s decision was not solely based on public outcry. The panel meets weekly to assess officiating performances in the PSL, which has faced increasing criticism this season, particularly in the absence of Video Assistant Referee (VAR] technology.

During their suspension, Sicelo, Dlamini, and Maruping will be required to undergo a rehabilitation program, which includes regular meetings with an instructor. The review committee’s report also revealed that Maruping provided a false account of the incident in his post-match assessment.

VAR ON THE HORIZON IN SOUTH AFRICAN FOOTBALL

The debate surrounding the implementation of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology in South African football has intensified, with cost considerations emerging as a critical factor. South Africa’s Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, has been a vocal advocate for VAR, believing it will revolutionise officiating in the league.

Recent controversial match decisions have sparked calls for improved accuracy and fairness, leading to discussions between SAFA and the PSL about the potential introduction of VAR.

While the exact cost of implementing VAR remains under investigation, initial estimates suggest a substantial initial setup cost of R70-80 million, followed by a per-game fee of R70,000. Despite the significant financial implications, McKenzie emphasises the importance of VAR in elevating the standard of South African football.

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