Abongile Tom dropped the whistle
The handling of the MTN Cup game between Orlando Pirates and SuperSport United over the weekend has left a bitter taste in the mouth of many football fans.
The highly anticipated match ended in controversial fashion as the decisions made by respected FIFA accredited referee Abongile Tom have come under intense scrutiny.
From the very beginning of the match, some of Tom’s decisions were questionable at best. Granted, referees are human and can make mistakes, but there appeared to have been unmistakable bias towards one team over the other which was hard to ignore.
Two of the most contentious moments of the match came in the second half when two clear penalty calls were denied to SuperSport after defenders had clearly handled the ball inside the box.
But on both occasions the referee waved play on, seemingly oblivious to the blatant mistakes he had just committed. Replays later showed that the decisions were clearly incorrect.
Even respected retired referee Victor Hlungwane stated unequivocally on a television show on the SABC that Abongile Tom’s decisions were wrong calls, including the opening goal by Olisa Ndah, which Hlungwane claimed should not have been allowed for offside!
It begs the question – why is a league as financially successful and commercially viable as the South African Premier League so reluctant to introduce the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) program?
Why is it that the South African league continues to rely on officials who are prone to making mistakes? One could speculate that certain teams may benefit from these human errors.
Whether it be through biased officiating or sheer incompetence, it is clear that some teams may be getting the upper hand through no fault of their own.
This not only undermines the integrity of the game but also calls into question the fairness and legitimacy of the league as a whole. Fans and players alike are demanding answers as to why VAR has not been implemented in the South African Premier League.
The technology is readily available and has been proven to be effective in other leagues, so why is the league still living in the dark ages when it comes to officiating?
The lack of transparency surrounding this issue is troubling, to say the least. Fans invest not only their money but also their emotions into supporting their favorite teams, and to have the outcome of a match potentially swayed by biased officiating is simply unacceptable.
It is time for the South African Premier League to step up and embrace modern technology in the form of VAR. The integrity of the game and the credibility of the league are at stake, and it is crucial that steps are taken to ensure fair play for all teams involved.
The biased officiating and questionable decisions made by the referee have sparked outrage and frustration, and it is clear that changes need to be made in order to ensure fair play and integrity in the South African Premier League.
The introduction of VAR would be a step in the right direction towards achieving this goal.
Comments (2)
Big ups for shedding light on such an important issue in South African football. The concerns you’ve raised about officiating and the need for VAR are absolutely valid. It’s crucial for the integrity of the league that fans can trust the decisions made on the field. Implementing VAR could significantly enhance fairness and transparency, ensuring that all teams compete on an equal footing. Your passion for the game and advocacy for improvement is commendable, and I hope it inspires change within the league. Keep up the great work!
Thank you Themba, hope the authorities read our general concerns