SAFA place erring match officials on rehabilitation programme

This includes CAF Elite A panel officials, referee Abongile Tom and Zakhele Siwela, as well as Khamusi Razwimisani, as confirmed by SAFA head of referees Abdul Ebrahim during an interview on Radio 2000’s Game On with Thabiso Mosia on Thursday.

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TV replays showed the lone goal of the match was in fact scored following an off-side in the build-up to Lucas Ribeiro’s debut strike, while a penalty was also not awarded in favour of Chiefs. 

"The necessary recommendation has been made. Look, let me just say, yes, match officials have been rehabilitated, but the period is not as long – it's a four-week programme," confirmed Ebrahim.

The suspension of the likes of Tom and Siwela, who are among three VAR-trained officials in South Africa, follows the SAFA Review Committee’s decision to rehabilitate referee Siyabonga Nkomo and his assistant Thamaga Sebata for 16 weeks.

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Nkomo and Sebata were heavily criticised and subsequently penalised for allowing a Moroka Swallows goal to stand despite an obvious infringement on Sekhukhune United goalkeeper Ali Badra Sangare by Gabadinho Mhango.

"Every decision comes to the attention of the Review Committee, they review every incident in a match. If they pick up there was an error, they recommend rehabilitation if that is what they need," added the former referee.

"So, for every incident that may not be 100 percent following review, they will make the necessary recommendations. We may not have come on air and said these referees were rehabilitated, but rest assured the committee looks at all incidents."