admin
Eddie Chikamhi, Senior Sports Reporter
LOCAL referee Kudzanai Hiya escaped a life ban, but was suspended five years from football-related activities and handed a hefty US$116 000 fine.
He was found guilty of accepting a bribe and manipulating the results of the match between Dynamos and Herentals earlier this year.
Hiya, a senior assistant referee with 14 years experience was found guilty of “bringing the game into disrepute” as well as “match manipulation and corruption” at Rufaro after accepting a US$400 bribe from a supporter.
However, centre referee of the particular match Tichaona Mbire was cleared of all the charges after a full trial by the ZIFA Disciplinary Committee chaired by Florence Jambwa.
Hiya faced four charges and the first two were dropped. Considering the seriousness of the offence, he could have received as much as a lifetime ban, but the committee exercised leniency as he was a first time offender.
“In aggravation it was noted that the charges proffered against the respondent attract a harsh sentence of up to a lifetime ban from any football related activity,” read part of the judgment.
“His lengthy service was also considered to aggravate the charges as he was expected to have known the rules better and the consequences of accepting a bribe and match manipulation.
“The Disciplinary Committee imposed a five-match suspension on the respondent for Charge 3, reflecting the seriousness of his conduct during the match.
“Additionally, for Charge 4, the Respondent received a five-year ban from participating in any football-related activities, along with a fine of CHF 100,000, payable in the equivalent amount in United States Dollars.
“These sanctions underscored the committee’s commitment to upholding the integrity of the sport and addressing any misconduct associated with the Respondent’s actions.
“The imposed penalty considers the severity of the breach, and the fact that he is a first offender. The sentence also acts as deterrent to other officials and reinforces the message that accepting a bribe, match manipulation and corruption will not be tolerated.
“It guarantees that the playing field remains level and the game remains free of malevolent outside influences.”
Hiya was at the centre of the controversy on May 12 after a confessed Dynamos supporter stormed the referees’ changing rooms demanding reimbursement of US$400, which was meant to be a bribe to sway the result in favour of DeMbare.
The match ended 1-1. But there was a public outcry over a number of decisions which included flagging down a goal each from both teams for off-side.
There was a brief mayhem as fans responded by invading the pitch and raining missiles in protest. The ZIFA Referees Committee conducted an investigation and concluded that Hiya accepted the bribe and manipulated the game by wantonly disallowing two goals for offside.
The investigation, led by Brighton Mudzamiri, Wilfred Mukuna, and Tapfumanei Mutengwa, concluded that the conduct in relation to the charges was significant, leading to the prosecution by the ZIFA Disciplinary Committee.
Online Reporter