SABC Sport can confirm the Premier Soccer League [PSL] and SAFA have agreed to re-introduce protection services for referees.
This was escalated by the attempted attack on Luxolo Badi by a spectator during the Carling Knockout quarter-final clash between Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns at FNB Stadium last weekend.
With SAFA as the mother body concerned about the safety of match officials following several other incidents, especially at topflight games, it was brought to the league’s attention to revisit security.
Just as the PSL makes provision to pay referees, there was also a budget for putting safety measures in place for them prior to the Covid pandemic in 2020.
Following an agreement between SAFA and the PSL that this was necessary given all the signs as well as a plea from head of referees Abdul Ebrahim at the start of the 2024/25 campaign to “protect” match officials, it is now official.
The PSL has since moved swiftly to enforce this arrangement with bodyguards visible at the Carling Knockout semi-final fixture between Richards Bay and Magesi FC at the King Zwelithini Stadium in Durban on Saturday.
Both clubs were informed during the pre-match meeting that security personnel would accompany the appointed match officials moving forward, a decision that will be welcomed by Ebrahim.
The fact that there is still no VAR in the PSL has also brought the spotlight on referees, although some of it unwarra
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