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Jomo Sono reveals when South African referees are dodgiest 

The legendary Jomo Sono has revealed when South African referees are dodgiest. This comes after an incident exposed by FARPost last Sunday when referee Olani Kwinda took some controversial decisions in Polokwane City’s 2-1 win over La Masia.

A video of a dubious penalty awarded to City by Kwinda is circulating and has left many in disbelief.

JOMO SONO ON THE THREE MONTHS

Sono has waded into the issue, saying the period between November and January was the trickiest regarding refereeing.

“It’s a very difficult problem; November, December and January are trouble. I’m telling you, I’m not saying anything but November, December [and January].

“It’s November and December. Before [after] November, what comes?… It’s Christmas. And then before January…it’s a school holiday. I’m not saying anything.

“If I say something, they may hammer me this weekend. But I said November and January are big trouble. Those three months.

Polokwane City benefited from the referee's poor decisions
Polokwane City benefited from the referee’s poor decisions

“For me, what I saw on FARPost [the Polokwane City-La Masia incident] is terrible,” he said.

Sono, whose Jomo Cosmos was relegated from the Motsepe Foundation Championship last season, suggests that refs are most vulnerable at the end of the year. With Christmas around the corner, they want to make as much money ahead of the holidays. 

They are equally at the mercy of club owners in January to get through the usually tough first month of the year.

UGLY SCENES

But he warns that if the situation is not addressed, “somebody will get hurt”. At the end of the La Masia-Polokwane City game, there were ugly scenes at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium. 

In visible outrage, La Masia officials and players hurled insults at match officials and their Polokwane City counterparts.

“Clubs are getting tired. Somebody is going to get hurt if they don’t stop this nonsense. Somebody is going to get hurt. We don’t know who, but somebody will get hurt.”

RELATED STORY: OPINION: PLK CITY-LA MASIA REFEREE TAKES SHAMEFUL OFFICIATING TO EPIC PROPORTIONS

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