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Refs 'making a mockery' of PSL

Johannesburg - Referees are influencing the outcome of games in the Premier Soccer League (PSL), Bidvest Wits coach Roger de Sa charged on Monday.

De SA said the whistlemen had a hand in the outcome of five of his club's league matches this season, including their 0-0 draw against Free State Stars on Sunday.

"The situation is quite sickening," said De Sa.

"We have gained a modest five points from our five matches and find ourselves in 11th place in the log.

"But had we not suffered from refereeing mistakes, we might easily have doubled this tally."

De Sa said it was "heartbreaking" for the players to hold their own against a quality team like log leaders Kaizer Chiefs and end up on the losing side - with refereeing decisions being the difference between the two teams.

"Whether it's incompetence, intimidation or whatever I don't know but it's making a mockery of the log table," De Sa said.

"I don't think it is only Wits who are suffering. For example, I'm told Pirates should have been awarded two clear penalties in the derby against Chiefs over the weekend.

"To add insult to injury, when Pirates' Bongani Ndulula was upended when in a promising position to score, he was handed a yellow card for feigning an infringement.

"Chiefs might have deserved their 2-1 win on the day, but the result is soured when mistakes of this dimension are made by the referee."

Eleventh-placed Wits next play beleaguered AmaZulu, with new coach Roger Palmgren, at the helm for the first time, at Bidvest Stadium on Saturday.

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