Soweto Derby: Why did Mr Ref award a penalty to Buccaneers?

Sports Reporter

The South African Football Association Referees Review Committee has issued its verdict on the match official who was in charge of the Soweto Derby.

Match official Masixole Bambiso's name dominated the headlines following his decision to award Orlando Pirates a

penalty against Kaizer Chiefs.

The penalty was successfully converted by Patrick Maswanganyi to give the Buccaneers a 1-0 win at FNB Stadium. 

There was huge confusion on what the ref judged on last week Saturday, whether it was for the pulling or the collision

with the goalkeeper.

It was plain to see that there was a penalty, and both the analysts that they use on TV were correct. The referee

awarded a good penalty, explains Head of Referees, Abdul Ebrahim. 

All the factors of a penalty were there, it's the people's interpretation that is incorrect. And if interpreted correctly, we

will all arrive at the penalty decision.

So, the decision of the referee was 100% correct. He judged the entire incident. The entire incident needs to be looked at.

There was a holding of the player, which hindered his forward movement. Therefore, the referee didn't play an advantage, but it's what we call wait and see. And that's what the referee did, he added.

This is why I don't understand why everybody was up in arms. We shouldn't be up in arms if we don't fully understand,

and I am sure everybody now fully understands the decision of the referee to award a penalty on Saturday. 

There is a lot of considerations that the referees look at. The general public look at the challenge, and they will say, is a

foul Ebrahim concluded.