Amid growing concerns over the integrity of local football in South Africa, Premier Soccer League (PSL) Chairman Dr. Irvin Khoza has called for an extension of the ban on betting, this time targeting referees. The decision comes after it was established that players are already prohibited from placing bets on local football matches, and Khoza believes referees should be held to the same standard. He argued that referees hold a significant level of influence over the outcome of games, which makes it essential to ensure their impartiality and prevent any potential conflict of interest that could arise from betting on matches.
Khoza’s statement comes as part of a broader effort to protect the credibility and integrity of South African football. He called for the South African Football Association (SAFA) to enforce a comprehensive ban on referees participating in betting on football matches. The PSL chairman stressed that safeguarding the fairness of the sport must be a priority to prevent any doubts regarding the authenticity of match outcomes. The regulation, he added, would help maintain public trust in the sport, ensuring that referees are not compromised by personal financial interests during match officiating.
Local football fans have widely supported Khoza’s call for a betting ban on referees. Many have taken to social media to voice their approval, with some expressing that controversial decisions in recent matches could have been the result of match-fixing. Supporters argue that the imposition of such a ban would act as a strong deterrent to any potential wrongdoing, reinforcing the idea that match-fixing undermines the integrity of the beautiful game. For these fans, the ban is seen as a necessary step toward restoring faith in the fairness of South African football and ensuring that the results of matches are determined by the players’ and teams’ performances on the field, rather than external influences.
