Any possible sanction for errant referee Daniel Bennett after a controversy-laden performance at the weekend will be shrouded in secrecy despite Kaizer Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter's call for accountability.

It follows Saturday's surprise Nedbank Cup defeat for Amakhosi, who were beaten 2-1 by Black Leopards in a match in which Leopards' opening goal was blatantly offside and Chiefs were denied a clear-looking penalty.

Baxter, who was sent off for suggesting Bennett needed glasses, said he accepted responsibility for his actions but asked what action, if any, could be taken against Bennett.

The answer is a possible suspension but all sanctions against referees are kept secret, even from the Premier Soccer League, whose matches they officiate in.

The South African Football Association has a department that looks after refereeing matters a technical committee to oversee refereeing issues, as well as a review committee.

If there is to be any punishment meted out to Bennett for a poor performance it will come from the review committee.

Its chairman is Bruce Mphela, whose experience as a match official was limited, and other members are also former refs - Simon Ngutshane, Lazarus Matela and Johnny du Toit.

They usually meet weekly, or when matters are referred to them, to analyse errant performances and have handed down various suspensions - usually for a few weeks - or demotion to take charge of matches in the National First Division.

But they do not communicate their decision and it is only informally that the PSL, clubs and the press find out that there have been sanctions.

Over the past year a number of leading referees have been hauled before the referee's review committee to explain contentious decision made in top-flight games after a raft of complaints from clubs.

Among those known to have been sanctioned are Victor Hlungwani, Lwandile Mfiki, Bafana Mosia and Thando Ndzandzeka.