adminZIFA Southern Region Division One side Ntabazinduna averted expulsion from the league at the last minute after paying $740 towards referees’ fees.
Had the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services side not paid on Friday they would have been booted out of the league as yesterday’s match against Indlovu Iyanyathela would have been their third game being abandoned.
If a team fails to fulfil three games or causes three fixtures to be abandoned they are automatically expelled from the league. The club still has to clear a balance of $800.
Zimbabwe Referees’ Committee agreed to officiate at yesterday’s game as Ntabazinduna “had shown commitment to pay”.
Southern Region chairman Musa Mandaza said they came with the amount and negotiated with ZRC officials who agreed to give the club a reprieve.
“The club is in the league and is not facing any censure as they have paid part of what they owe.
“They showed commitment and referees gave them a reprieve so they will continue in the league.
“While it would have been sad to lose the side, we have to follow the rules in any given situation,” he said.
Ntabazinduna owed $1 540 to match officials, a situation that led to the ZRC withdrawing the services of the referees.
While Ntabazinduna had not been playing home games this month due to the action by referees they were able to play away fixtures as they were not burdened with the match officials’ expenses.
The club would have followed Old Nic Mine who are no longer playing in the league due to financial problems.
Ntabazinduna failed to play games against ZPC Hwange and Trumus and the visitors were awarded wins on a 3-0 scoreline.
Sources at the club said little funding was coming from their parent organisation hence the financial difficulties.
Clubs reportedly fork out $265 for four match officials plus transport which depends on where the officials would be coming from.
derick.khumalo