Gomes to intensify laws of the game lessons for PSL coaches and media

Recognizing the need for coaches to have a comprehensive understanding of the laws of the game, SAFA has made it a priority to educate them. This initiative was met with praise during a recent CAF B license coaching course, where Black Leopards assistant coach and football legend Papi Zothwane commended this forward-thinking move.

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''Yeah, correct, we've been working hard recently because the structure that we are looking at is, the coaches are only touching on the laws of the game and I've asked our department to chat to the technical director and we want to come up with another idea where the coaches can get more in depth of laws of the game at a higher level,'' said Gomes.

Gomes has also lauded the media for continually playing its part in educating the people about the laws of the game.

''I would like to congratulate the media, where we are now starting to use the correct terminology when it comes to the laws of the game. And we are now pushing for an educational program for media and broadcasters. We want to improve the knowledge out there, so that everybody is on the same panel,'' he added.

As the head of referees in the country, Gomes is tasked with improving the standard of match officiating and inventing innovations to help bring some credibility to this important stakeholder of the game. He’s also defended them from criticism.

One criticism of today's match officials, particularly the men and women in the middle (referees), is their indecisiveness and boldness in making decisions; this is the area where Gomes used to excel. At a time when most football fans who used to loathe him are now missing him, this is what he had to say.

Arguably the best South African referee in the last decade or so, Gomes retired from match officiating after the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. He now also serves as the Deputy Chairperson of the CAF Referees Committee and was honoured last week as a Referee’s legend at the COSAFA Awards.