By FOCUS REPORTER

THE South African Football Association (SAFA) has appointed seven new match officials to the National Panel of Referees (NPR). The three referees and four assistant referees have been developed from the Vodacom League. They were identified for promotion following a Higher National Certification refereeing workshop in Johannesburg recently. 

The additions to the NPR means two female referees have been introduced to the panel, namely Sebabatso Malope and Noeleen Daniels. This brings the number of women in the panel to five. 

The appointment of the new referees was made during a high level FIFA refereeing course, conducted from 15 – 17 July 2011 in Johannesburg. The refresher course covered topics on the laws of the game, law changes and other new laws. Video analysis on match situations was another section dealt with by the participants. 

Three referees have retired from officiating. The trio, Faick Daniels, Abdul Basit Ebrahim and Steven Moshotle, blew their whistles for the last time last season.

The appointment of the seven new referees to the National Panel is seen as an achievement.

“The Association is achieving its goal in producing and developing high quality referees. It’s encouraging to see growth and acceleration in pace to produce quality female referees. Our referees are adapting and progressing with the fitness level tests set by FIFA as seen in the recent fitness tests our candidates were put through. We are proud of the progress made by the new referees and our long-term goal is to ensure that we have at least five female referees within the Panel. The commitment coming from the match officials is an indication that they are showing a high level of dedication in wanting to be the best on the continent. We are hoping these appointments will send a strong message to upcoming referees, that the gate is wide open. And lastly, we would like to see the candidates being among the best in the National Panel,” said Alpha Mchunu, Chairman on the Referees Committee.

Meanwhile Daniel Bennet and Jerome Damon failed the International fitness test and because they did not complete the National fitness test, the International fitness test is considered the entry into the National Panel of Referees. Consequentially, they have been removed from operational duty until they comply with fitness standards as laid down by the National Referees Committe

The panel of referees for 2011/12 season are:

REFEREES                                                        ASSISTANT REFEREES