Former referee Ace Ncobo has hit out at the South African Football Association (Safa) for using match officials to fight their own battles with the Premier Soccer League (PSL).

Safa released a statement on Tuesday saying that the match officials will need at least two weeks to undergo medical tests and under the guidance of a Fifa-approved fitness trainer before the 2019-20 season can resume.

The PSL has since conceded to Safa’s mandate that the resumption of the 2019-20 season can only take place in August this year.

However, Ncobo revealed that the match officials have been working hard to keep fit during the Covid-19 lockdown period and would easily pass the fitness test.

‘From a person who mentors a significant number of referees let me place this on record: referees never stopped training. Never stopped social distancing to the point of self-isolation. Testing them for fitness requires one day. Testing for Covid-19 requires 48hrs. Referees are ready!’ Ncobo wrote on Twitter on Tuesday evening.

‘Maybe there are other referees because the ones on the panel love what they do. They may commit errors but they respect their calling. They knew the day for resumption would come and kept themselves ready,’ he added.

‘They must find other reasons but must never ever pour cold water on the tough efforts of these young men and women who’ve been working hard under difficult conditions to keep fit and away from infection. Don’t insult them when you fight your own battle. Referees are READY!

‘Take them to a fitness test tomorrow and more than 90% of them will easily pass, just like is usually the case even without COVID-19 that some may fail, but never insult their efforts by saying they’re not ready. Referees are READY!’