View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Soccer Laduma (@soccer_laduma)

Login

Hlungwani: Why PSL Refs Crack!

Hlungwani: Why PSL Refs Crack!

With the standard of the PSL referees seemingly going down each week, former match official Victor Hlungwani has revealed why. 

Mistakes from referees or bad interpretation of the law or oversight, have become commonplace for referees in the PSL. 

If high level games hardly finish without any controversy, matches that don't command a lot of interest experience a lot of bad refereeing.

The frequent nature the PSL referees make mistakes is that they can no longer be trusted, with coaches the most frustrated on the bench.

Hlungwani has revealed that during his days, what made the referees to be of high level quality was the proper induction, where a new official had to start below a division, in the National First Division for a number of years, before they could be promoted to the Premiership.  

READ: OFFICIAL: Chiefs Pirates Punished By PSL!

And even after being promoted, it was difficult to get high profile matches as a new referee, as those games were assigned to experienced match officials.

"(In our days), to break in there was very difficult, (the same way) with the big teams Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates, where you had top players. To break into that team (of PSL referees) for a youngster was not easy," Hlungwani revealed on Smash Sports YouTube Channel. 

"The same principle applies to referees team, where you have to be introduced gradually in order to learn. (In recent years) we had a change (of guard), where we had new referees coming in, introduced quickly into the system without proper (experience).

"You know when you've done four years in the NFD, (when) you get to PSL you can do any game without pressure. But (these days) you come this year, the following year or the same year you get a Premiership game and a high level game, surely you're going to crack!?" Hlungwani exclaimed.  

READ: Pirates Sundowns Discover CAFCL Opponents

The widespread suggestions that the introduction of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) could improve the quality of refereeing in the PSL is misguided, judging from Hlungwane's revelations.

Because if the standard of refereeing was better in the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s, the introduction of VAR alone would not be able to solve the issues. 

Related tags

Comments

Top 5

Sundowns To Release Former Chiefs Target?

Apr 30, 2025 02:43 PM in Mamelodi-Sundowns

Ekstein Celebrates Growing Family

Apr 30, 2025 11:18 AM in Fan Park

Chiefs' Aim To Sign A Creative Midfielder

May 02, 2025 02:51 PM in Kaizer-Chiefs

Chiefs To Fine Players For Losing?

Apr 30, 2025 12:39 PM in Kaizer-Chiefs

Riveiro: I'll Be Back!

May 02, 2025 08:15 AM in Orlando-Pirates

Contract Update: How Pirates Will Adjust GK Selections

May 02, 2025 12:53 PM in Orlando-Pirates

Matlou: Chiefs Competing For Top 8 Instead Of The League

May 02, 2025 12:31 PM in Kaizer-Chiefs

Exiled Wydad Star 'Returns' After Mokwena Exit

May 01, 2025 03:28 PM in African Football

Lorch's Unique Dining Experience

May 02, 2025 01:48 PM in Fan Park