Any sanction for ref secret

[caption id="attachment_74871" align="alignright" width="300"] MARCHING ORDERS: Kaizer Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter is given a red card by referee Daniel Bennett during the 2015 Nedbank Cup match between Chiefs and Black Leopards at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on Saturday Picture: BACKPAGEPIX -[/caption]

Outcome of Baxter’s call for accountability not made known

ANY possible sanction for errant referee Daniel Bennett after a controversy-ladened performance at the weekend will be shrouded in secrecy despite Kaizer Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter’s call for accountability.

It follows Saturday’s surprise Nedbank Cup defeat for Amakhosi, who were beaten 2-1 by Black Leopards in a match in which Leopards’ opening goal was blatantly offside and Chiefs were denied a clear-looking penalty.

Baxter, who was sent off for suggesting Bennett needed glasses, said he accepted responsibility for his actions but asked what action could be taken against Bennett.

The answer is a possible suspension, but all sanction against referees is kept secret, even from the Premier Soccer League, at whose matches they officiate.

The South African Football Association has a department that looks after refereeing matters and a technical committee to oversee refereeing issues, as well as a review committee.

If any punishment is meted out to Bennett for a poor performance it will come from the review committee. Its chairman is Bruce Mphela, whose experience as a match official was limited. Other members are also former refs – Simon Ngutshane, Lazarus Matela and Johnny du Toit.