OPINION: Poor PSL officiating, where is the accountability?
Had VAR been in use, Yanela Mbuthuma's opening goal would probably have been ruled out for offside.
The Soweto Derby has once again exposed the urgent need for Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology in the Premier Soccer League (PSL). Orlando Pirates defeated Kaizer Chiefs 2-1, but the result is overshadowed by controversial refereeing decisions that could have altered the match's outcome. With VAR in place, Yanela Mbuthuma's opening goal might have been disallowed for offside, and Simphiwe Selepe could have been shown a second yellow card for his challenge on Mfundo Vilakazi.
These hypothetical scenarios underscore a growing issue in South African football. The quality of refereeing has become increasingly questionable, and the PSL's reputation hangs in the balance. The standard of officiating is a recurring complaint, and the league cannot afford more damage to its integrity. Referees are under constant scrutiny, and several matches this season have raised serious concerns about their competence.
While Luxolo Badi's decisions in the derby were not necessarily intentional, they ultimately benefitted Pirates. Pirates were the stronger team in the first half, and momentum is everything in football. If Mbuthuma's offside goal had been ruled out and Selepe had been sent off, the match's dynamic could have been entirely different, with Chiefs potentially taking control.
However, Pirates walked away with all three points, and the debate over refereeing continues. The question remains: where is the accountability? SAFA's head of referees, Abdul Ebrahim, must answer for the lack of action against Badi and his assistants. The Soweto Derby is just one example of a larger problem; almost every team has had reasons to complain about refereeing decisions since the start of the season.
Building the PSL brand requires hard work, but these ongoing officiating controversies are drawing unwanted attention to the league. VAR may not eliminate every refereeing mistake, but it would provide officials with an additional tool to review critical decisions and minimize costly errors. Until SAFA takes urgent steps to introduce the technology, more contentious decisions, frustrated coaches, and supporters questioning the competition's credibility are expected.
Pirates have secured the bragging rights, and they are rightfully smiling, but if the standard does not improve, they might find themselves complaining next time around.
Written by urgent.news from The Citizen's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
