THOHOYANDOU – Most of the top referees will not participate in the Castle Premiership, nor the newly established Mvela Golden League action this season, after they were chopped from the paying division panel of referees.

According to the statement that was released by the South African Football Association refereeing sub-committee, the high-ranking referees who will not blow the whistle for payment this season include Lawrence Monnathoko, Enock Molefe, Simon Ngutshana, Russel Mojapelo, Steven Moshotle, Mike Ncobo and Buyile Gqubule.

According to the statement, the axed referees had failed to meet the grade during the fitness tests that were held at the end of May and last week. The other referees who will be out of action this season are those who had been arrested and charged with bribery and corruption.

The arrested referees had been suspended by the South African Football Association’s technical committee pending the outcome of their court cases. Two local referees, Tshifhiwa Dali and Collins Netshiongolwe, are still on the list.

A full list of referees and their assistants is as follows: Ace Ngobo, Daniel Bennet, Morne Daniels, Jerome Demon, Jonas Nhlapo, Mathew Dyer, Abdul Ebrahim, Paulo Marques, Charle Theron, Frederick Ka-saago, Brian Sibisi, Mabelandile Mbyetlana, Lwandile Mfiki, Thabo Nkosi, Thabiso Nonyane, Peter Mabuza, Michael Mosiua, Bongani Mpinda, Kader de Goede, Zwelibanzi Nkosi, Wayne Cupido, Yusuf Vawda, Sydney Daysel, Lazarus Matela, Sphiwe Jibiliza, Mantuse Nayo, Happy Radebe, Nnedi Mduli, Reginald Motloung, Nicholas Haupt, Geronimo Piedt, Faik Daniels, Jeff Groenewald, Toko Malebo, Thys Mokoena, Yegesh Anjith, Moegamat Barlow, Isaac Arendse, Jonannes Moshidi, Joel Morajane, Sandile Dilikane, Daniel Motlolisi, Peter Rabopara, Collin Netshiongolwe, Peter Matebana, Fikile Mtinsilana, Lengana Modupo, Tshifhiwa Dali, Koduwa Mosoeu, Brian Sodoli, Somi Luyanda, Ishaan Abrahams, Vuyani Poni, Thembekile Bikitsha, Lindikhaya Bolo and Chalambisa Mzimkulu.