Who decides whether the pitch is fit or a match goes ahead?
Rule- South Africa
- SAFA
- IFAB Laws of the Game
- SAFA Uniform Rules
- Amateur leagues
- Senior
- 2026/27
- Referees
Under the SAFA Competitions Uniform Rules:
- The referee is the sole judge of whether a match is postponed or abandoned because the ground is unsuitable through bad weather or any other factor (Rule 8.4).
- In circumstances a designated SAFA official considers extraordinary, that official may order a postponement, but only if it is announced before 12h00 on match day (Rule 8.7).
- Weather postponements are re-fixtured by SAFA (Rule 8.9).
- If a floodlit match is abandoned because of a power failure, SAFA reschedules it (Rule 5.5.2). Minimum lighting for night matches is 200 lux (Rule 8.2).
- Fields of play must be 100-120 m long and 68-75 m wide (Rule 8.3).
- The home team supplies a FIFA-approved match ball; you may accept the away team's ball if the home team can't provide one of suitable quality (Rule 8.5).
Under Law 5, you may also stop, suspend or abandon a match for outside interference, for example if the floodlights are inadequate.
Added 22 Oct 2026