Suspension for KO Cup
officials Yoliswa Matomela
Johannesburg - The South African Football Association has suspended three
match officials after their conduct brought the profession into disrepute during the final of Telkom Knockout Cup at Loftus Stadium, Tshwane involving Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs.
The Safa
Referees Review Committee found that match referee A Ebrahim, match commissioner R Pillay and fourth official L Mfiki transgressed the Fifa Laws of The
Game when they allowed the Sundowns substitution of Patrick Apataki, who replaced Benson Mhlongo.
According to a statement release by Safa the Law is clear on the correct procedure that only the players who are involved at the end of the game are allowed to take part in the taking of
kicks from the
penalty spot.
Under the Additional Instructions and Guidelines for Referees, Bullet Point 5, the Law states:
Substitutes "A player, other than the goalkeeper who is injured, may not be substituted during the taking of kicks from the penalty mark."
Regarding the goalkeeper, this only applies if the teams concerned have not used all their substitutes under the Laws of the Game applying to the competition.
The Review Committee also found no mitigating circumstances in the decision which were taken.
The two other assistant referees, S Moshotle and L Mngqibisa, were involved in a conversation with team officials at the time of the incident and did not realise what had transpired until the kicks were concluded and were therefore exonerated.
The Review Committee added that it is well aware of the seriousness of the situation which would have arisen if Sundowns had won their game through their penalty kicks with the involvement of their substitute player, Apataki.
In sentencing the match officials the Review Committee concluded that Ebrahim and Pillay will each serve seven days
Suspension which will commence on December 13, 2007 and conclude on December 19. In addition the fine will equate to 20 percent of their match fees. Mfiki will serve a 14-day suspension having failed to adhere to conditions laid dow
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