dyton mupawaenda
Fungai Muderere-Sports Reporter
HWANGE head coach Nation Dube has become the latest mentor to register his displeasure with how match officials have been handling Castle Lager Premier Soccer League matches.
Dube was left a dejected man after his side suffered a 0-1 defeat at the hands of Chicken Inn at Luveve on Wednesday, indirectly saying that bad match officiating decided the outcome.
“You know with these games, if I’m to comment, I have to comment on how my team played and how the other team played, and I can say congratulations to the other team.
“When it comes to my team, I think we played brilliantly, it is only that we missed a lot of chances. In the first minute we went to sleep, and they just got that goal, but I just have to say it again, sponsors are putting in a lot of money.
“Coming from Hwange to Bulawayo there is a lot of money involved, we camp, and a lot is involved. But someone comes and defends some of these decisions. I’m not happy with them because I think they are (match officials) there to control the game,” said a livid Dube whose side anchors the log standings with five points from eight games.
The Premier Soccer League recently summoned Chicken Inn mentor Joey Antipas and his CAPS United counterpart, Lloyd Chitembwe to appear before a disciplinary committee for alleged breaches of the league’s rules and regulations after their comments following losses.
This was in response to the comments the two coaches made a few weeks ago, which seemed to attack the integrity of match officials.
Antipas and Chitembwe said that local referees had reduced the league into a “comic show” following their respective teams’ matches against Manica Diamonds and FC Platinum respectively.
PSL through their communications and media liaison officer Kudzai Bare said the comments brought the image of the league into disrepute as they seek to stamp their authority early in the season.
Eight rounds of matches have been played so far.
“Such actions are in direct violation of the PSL rules and regulations. In terms of order 31.2.16 of the PSL rules and regulations, it is an act of misconduct on the part of the club official who commits any act or makes any statement, either orally or in writing, or has been responsible for conduct which is considered ungentlemanly, insulting or improper behaviour, or likely to bring the game, sponsors, any member, the league or Zifa into disrepute.
Online Reporter