Hlungwani in hot water for not wearing OUTsurance kit

Cape Town - Top referee Victor Hlungwani has not officiated a game since Bloemfontein Celtic's 1-0 win over Black Leopards, reportedly due to not wearing his OUTsurance kit.

After the match on September 16, Hlungwani faced threatening comments from Lidoda Duvha owner David Thidiela.

However, the reason for his lack of game time recently is apparently unrelated to that incident.

He has reportedly been sidelined as a result of his failure to wear a strip carrying the colours of OUTsurance, a new sponsor of the South African Football Association (SAFA).

"Hlungwani and the match commissioner were asked to explain what happened in the match and why they didn't put on the OUTsurance gear," said SAFA communications manager Dominic Chimhavi as quoted by TimesLIVE website.

"In their defence, they did not put on the kit because it clashes with that of Bloemfontein Celtic. But they went against the directive of the association and a result were put on notice."

SAFA officials were approached for comment and confirmed that Hlungwani has not been suspended, but it remains to be seen when he returns to action.