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Ref blackout for PSL matches

Johannesburg - At least four separate refereeing teams will be kept in the dark over which PSL matches they will be officiating on Saturday, in a bid to cut out any potential match tampering.

The Premiership campaign is set for a thrilling finalé this weekend, with the title, possible relegation and the final place in next season's MTN8 all to be decided by the time the eight 15:00 kick-offs reach full-time.

With so much at stake the PSL has made moves to ensure a level playing field, with the match officials set to be holed up in a hotel before being informed of their duties at the last moment.

The identity of the refs in question has also been withheld, but it is known the teams are made up of the referee, two linesmen and a fourth official.

The matches in question are the two in KwaZulu-Natal, the first between leaders Orlando Pirates and Golden Arrows and the other between second-placed Moroka Swallows and Maritzburg United.

Meanwhile, Santos' clash against Jomo Cosmos in Cape Town and Black Leopards' Peter Mokaba Stadium tie against Ajax Cape Town are the others.

Victory for the Buccaneers would guarantee them a successful defence of the Premiership crown, as well as a second successive treble, although a draw or loss would open the door for Swallows to swoop in, with Gordon Igesund's men just two points behind Pirates.

At the other end of the spectrum, Santos head into their final match of the season knowing their fate is only partially in their own hands, with the People's Team needing to beat already-relegated Cosmos, while also hoping Leopards fail to take the points off the top-eight chasing Urban Warriors.

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