To: South African Football Association (SAFA) Review Committee

Subject: Petition to Suspend Abongile Tom for Unfair Favoritism Towards Orlando Pirates

We, the undersigned, call on the South African Football Association to suspend Abongile Tom, a referee who has consistently shown bias towards Orlando Pirates.

We believe that Abongile Tom's actions on the field have unfairly influenced the outcomes of matches in favor of Orlando Pirates, undermining the integrity of South African football. This repeated favoritism has not only tarnished the reputation of our beloved sport but also demoralized fans and players of other teams who expect fair and unbiased officiating.

Instances of Concern:

• 07 October 2023 (MTN 8 Final): Abongile Tom denied Mamelodi Sundowns with two clear penalties when Shalulile was fouled by Timm in the 18 yard area of Orlando Pirates 

• 04 August 2024 (MTN 8 quarterfinal) : Abongile Tom denied Supersport United with two penalties, and also failed to issue a red card to Maswanganyi after elbowing a Supersport united player.

• The instances around Abongile Tom favoring Orlando Pirates are many and it seems like whoever appoints referees is also aware of this.

We request an immediate investigation into these incidents and the suspension of Abongile Tom pending the outcome. Ensuring fairness and impartiality in officiating is crucial for maintaining the integrity of our sport.