Members of the panel were introduced to the new wireless communication system that they'll soon be using during PSL matches.
The PSL invested more than a half a million rand in getting the devices from Europe and in another first, the PSL will be the first League on the African continent to make use of the wireless communication system.
SAFA Referees Committee Chairperson, Kirsten Nematendani, was excited by today's developments.
“For far too long, our match officials felt and were considered as the step-children of SAFA, but now with the new technology that we are introducing, that notion is out of the window and it's now up to the match officials themselves to up their game. If we invest properly in our match officials, their results on the field will definitely improve,” expressed Nematendani.
Nematendani's sentiments were echoed by Ace Ncobo, PSL General Manager: Football.
“This is certainly a landmark day for all referees in the country,” said Ncobo, a former referee himself.
“While we have improved tremendously on other facets in the League, not much has been done for the match officials, so this is just one of the steps we'll be taking to ensure that the standard of officiating improves and is on par with the best in the world.”
The match officials in attendance were privy to a demonstration followed by a training course conducted by FIFA Referee Panel member, Jerome Damon.
“This is the same system we've used at previous FIFA tournaments and I'm really excited that it's being introduced into the PSL,” commented Damon.
“With the focus and spotlight often on referees during matches, having this system will ease the pressure on us as we execute our important job to the best of our abilities.”
SAFA and the PSL were hoping to have the wireless communication system in operation for this weekend's matches.
However the parties are still waiting for a go-ahead from communication regulatory body, ICASA, which is expected next week.
