CAF blame SAFA for state of SA refs
STANDARDS HAVE DROPPED BECAUSE OF SAFA REVIEW POLICY
The on-going suspension of top local referees by the South African Football Association has drawn the ire of the Confederation of African Football, who say the policy is hurting morale and cheapening the talent pool.
SAFA’s refereeing review committee have issued a flood of suspensions this season for errant refereeing with many top officials taken off matches quietly to serve out punishments.
This has not been publicised by SAFA but it is denting the confidence of officials, who CAF say are now too scared to make decisions in games should they make mistakes and draw a ban.
SAFA’s review committee meets every Tuesday to go over the work of match officials. It is headed by former referee Bruce Mphela.
CAF refereeing boss Eddy Maillet says the system is flawed and this is the reason why South African refereeing standards have dropped. The recent failure of several FIFA accredited officials to pass their fitness tests is also highlighted in a scathing letter he wrote to SAFA.
Maillet says South African refereeing was once a shining example to the rest of the continent, but is now suffering because of low morale.
Only Victor Gomes is now regarded by CAF as good enough to handle major African games, although his reputation at home is far from rosy.
Maillet has called on SAFA to desist from the policy of arbitrary suspension for mere mistakes.
Referees have long been angry about the system because of the process, the punishment and that they are judged by former peers, who did not have distinguished careers in the middle themselves.
SAFA refereeing is headed by Natasha Tsichlas