How urgently does the Premier Soccer League (PSL) need to adopt the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system?
If you ask fans, that intervention is more critical than ever, after a string of hotly debated refereeing decisions.
The South African looks at incidents from recent games that are fuelling the debate for VAR tech in the Betway Premiership.
Four PSL referee controversies behind calls for VAR
The Sihle Nduli incident
The incident that reignited the VAR debate came during Orlando Pirates and AmaZulu’s 1-1 draw on 12 August.
During the clash in Durban, the Buccaneers’ Sihle Nduli went down after a lunging tackle by Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya.
Ngwenya was shown yellow for the challenge and later apologised to Nduli, who was stretchered off the field.
A statement on the Orlando Pirates site confirmed the 30-year-old is out for at least four months with a torn ligament.
Some fans and analysts believe Ngwenya should have been shown a red card for what has been called a ‘heavy’ tackle.
AmaZulu’s goal vs Pirates
Another incident was also recorded in the same PSL game at Kings Park Stadium.
Around 34 minutes in, AmaZulu’s Mlondi Mbanjwa thought he had equalised for the home team.
Instead, the referee’s assistant raised the flag, and the goal was ruled out for offside.
This incident was also scrutinised, with some deeming AmaZulu to be the victim of an incorrect call.
Zitha Kwinika on Tashreeq Matthews
During the third round of matches, Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns played to a 1-1 draw.
However, the biggest talking point centred on the Amakhosi’s Zitha Kwinika and possible VAR intervention.
The defender was yellow-carded after catching Sundowns’ Tashreeq Matthews with his studs while attempting a clearance.
Speaking during a segment on SABC Sport, former referee Victor Hlungwani stated that Kwinika should have been shown red for the incident.
“[Kwinika] kicked [Matthews] in the back with excessive force and brutality.”
Richards Bay vs Polokwane City confusion
The centre referee took centre stage during Polokwane City’s away win against Richards Bay FC.
In the second half, the home team appealed for a penalty over a supposed handball.
Referee Moreki Lekwape initially awarded a corner kick before then awarding a penalty after apparently receiving advice through his earpiece.
Moments later, he went back to his previous call of a corner kick.
Replays of the incident appear to show the ball striking Malebogo Modise on the body, and not on the hand.
Sports Minister grills SAFA over VAR implementation
Meanwhile, Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, said he had written to the South African Football Association (SAFA) over the implementation of VAR.
The minister said he had given the local football body 21 days to respond to his demand to return funds allocated to bringing the technology into South African football.
McKenzie also claimed that he had escalated the matter to FIFA.
