adminSikhumbuzo Moyo Acting Sports Editor
FIFA has turned down Zifa’s recommendation for an increase in the number of male Zimbabwe international referees.
Sekai Simango joins the elite list as an assistant international woman referee but female international referee, Pamela Chiwaya, has been dropped from the international list after she failed a fitness test last year due to pregnancy.
Zifa had recommended three more names to the nine that are on the Fifa international referees list for men but the request was turned down by Fifa.
“We recommended three names but in their discretion Fifa decided against endorsing those names,” said acting Zimbabwe Referees Committee president, Ndumiso Gumede.
Zifa communications manager, Xolisani Gwesela also confirmed the snub but declined to name the referees that had been recommended to Fifa.
Said Gwesela: “We will only release the names later as we are still communicating with Caf on certain aspects and once done, we will then let the nation know”.
Zimbabwe has three male referees and six assistants, a majority of whom have had little, if any game time. There are two female referees and assistant female referees. Bulawayo-based Tambudzai Tawengwa remains one of the referees despite never handling a match as a centre official.
Online Reporter