Ace 'Mr Spot On' Ncobo Confirms On Field Review System Plan for PSL Referees

• The referees in the Premier Soccer League could be assisted in their future duties
• The league is considering the introduction of the Onfield Review System in future seasons
• This is as the Video Assistant Review is increasingly used worldwide and in the north of Africa

South African refereeing could be in for much-needed improvement.

According to former FIFA referee and current television pundit Andile 'Ace' Ncobo, there are talks within the Premier Soccer League to introduce the On-Field Review system to assist referees with their decision-making.

SowetanLIVE reported 'Mr Spot-On' as saying:

"It is to be expected [that standards would drop]. During a period that follows the retirement of the more experienced referees, they leave behind a panel populated by youngsters who still need lots of games under the belt for them to reach the required consistency.

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"After going through the requisite training, referees can immediately implement OFR using a broadcaster's pitch-side screen. But that would also require production directors in the OB [outside broadcast] trucks to be trained on how to quickly give the referee the required angles.

"We have the equipment and the expertise to implement OFR right now, without the hefty price tag of a full VAR rollout. With just OFR, a significant percentage of errors can be eliminated."

This comes as refereeing decisions continue to prove controversial countrywide, as well as match-fixing scandals.

Ace 'Mr Spot On' Ncobo: Ball was in the field of play in Monnapule Saleng assist for Kermit Erasmus goal

The case has been closed regarding one of Orlando Pirates' goals in the 3-0 MTN8 semifinal second-leg win against Mamelodi Sundowns at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane. Monnapule Saleng skinned Aubrey Modibe on the by-line, before feeding Kermit Erasmus the simplest of headers to open the scoring.

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There was controversy regarding whether Saleng had kept the ball in play or not.

SuperSport pundit Andile 'Ace' Ncobo, speaking on Extra Time show, said:

"The entire circumference of the ball must go over the line in order for the ball to be out. If there is a tiny fraction of the ball that is still on top of the line, that ball is in play. There must be daylight between the ball and the line for the ball to be out of play."