Retired referee and PSL general manager Ace Ncobo has set the record straight on the controversial penalty decision during the Nedbank Cup final between Orlando Pirates and Sekhukhune United.
Goals from Sibusiso Vilakazi, Tapelo Xoki and Terrence Dzvukamanja decided earned the Buccaneers their second trophy of the season with a 2-1 win over Babina Noko at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday night.
The clash was not without controversy though as a decision by referee Thando Ndzandzeka to award the Buccaneers a penalty late in the first half when Victor Letsoalo was adjudged to have handled the ball inside his own box, has sparked debate.
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Ncobo has taken to social media to cast his verdict.
"A Sekhukhune (Letsoalo) player goes to ground after colliding with a teammate, the referee correctly does not stop play because there is no question of serious injury requiring immediate medical attention.
"When I analyse every single decision of the referee I derive my analysis from the laws of the game it is always my point of departure," Ncobo wrote on Twitter.
"A Pirates player (Lorch) gains possession of the ball very close to the Sekhukhune player on the ground. The player on the ground registers his involvement in active play by kicking the ball with his foot, whilst still on the ground.
"This action nullifies any motion of injury this 'no injury' is reinforced a few seconds later when he stands up without having received any medical attention seconds after he penalty is awarded."
Lorch seals it to the highest bidder ??Letsoalo The Sea Robbers are back in this #NedbankCupFinal tie with a Thapelo Xoki penalty ???? Stream live: https://t.co/TesYUfoDS5 pic.twitter.com/O3U1sIsqwQ
— SuperSport Football ?? (@SSFootball) May 27, 2023
Following the handball, Lorch then appeared to kick the balls towards Letsoalo's had once more, which fails as the Sekhukhune striker moves his arm away just in time to avoid a second contact.
Ncobo warned that this is against the laws of the game and the 'handball' would have been waved away by the referee.
"I must mention that, even if the attempt had been successful, the ref would've simply ignored the 'handball' created out of circumventing the Laws via a deliberate trick to create an infringement," the former referee added.
"I have read a huge number of comments people who claimed that the Pirates striker should have been punished for 'kicking the ball against an injured opponent,' yet the truth is that even if he had done that and it was illegal, it would have come AFTER the deliberate handball.
"In conclusion, the decision to award a penalty was Spot On."
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