Referees play a key role in football and are tasked with officiating matches. They are the final decision-makers in the game, even with the introduction of the VAR - Video Assistant Referees - digital technology that revolutionised football.
At most times, they are subjected to criticism and their decisions are highly analysed and discussed by pundits, players and ardent football fans.
The match officials are paid differently depending on their referring level and per game officiated. Herein TeamKenya analyses how the Kenyan officials are paid as compared to their South African counterparts.
Most officials actually officiate more than just 4 games. In a given month, a single referee can officiate anywhere from 4 to 12 matches.
In Kenya, the main referees in the FK Premier League together with their assistants are paid a total of Ksh 20,000 per match.
Those in the second-tier league, the National Super League (NSL) are paid Ksh4,500 for the main referee and Ksh3,000 for the assistants.
As for the Division one referees, they take home Ksh3000 per match officiated.
South Africa Referees in the main South African League, the Premier Soccer League (PSL) have a similar pay package for both league and cup matches.
The main referee earns Ksh45,323 and the assistant referee gets Ksh34,875 per match officiated.
South African officials are also guaranteed a monthly stipend of a minimum of Ksh36,474 on top of per-game earnings.