Safa referees review committee has ruled that the equalising goal by Gabadinho Mhango for Moroka Swallows in their 2-2 PSL draw against Mamelodi Sundowns last week Monday was legitimate.

Referee Jelly Chavani was a main talking point last week after stopping a match for a few minutes and consulted with his assistant where the two eventually allowed Mhango’s controversial goal to stand.

Masandawana coach Rhulani Mokwena vehemently argued that the Malawi international’s goal was offside. But Safa’s review committee has backed the decision made by Chavani and his colleague.

• WHAT WAS SAID

  “The review committee has sat down on that specific (incident) and deemed that the referee was correct on the night,” Safa referee chairperson Victor Gomes said on 947’s MSW, per Kick-Off.

  “The right decision was made and after consulting and I’m actually very proud of the way things were handled on that day.

  “He went and stood next to the assistant referee and they were talking and you can clearly see that the fourth official was also involved. It’s teamwork. Even the assistant on the far side is entitled to talk.”

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Had the Safa referees review committee ruled otherwise, the Limpopo-born official and his assistant could have been suspended for their wrongdoings.

  This could be a wake-up call for Safa to introduce the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology which has worked well in most Caf tournaments in recent years.

  WHAT’S NEXT?

  The 2019/20 PSL Referee of the Season, Chavani, and his assistants will continue with their jobs following a favourable decision by the Safa referees’ review committee.