Referee TAKES SIX-MONTH SABBATICAL, PLAYER BANNED

Bruce Chikuni

HARARE Super League referee Lazurus Masawi has decided to take a six-month sabbatical.

Europa FC player, Tafadzwa Kaitano, has been hit with a five-match ban.

Masawi was at the centre of a row which forced the abandonment of a league match between Europa FC and Position over the weekend.

The match was stopped in the 84th minute after Europa players mobbed the referee claiming they could not take more of Masawi’s controversial calls.

Representatives from the referees committee and the two clubs were summoned to a hearing at Alex Sports Club on Monday.

The meeting was chaired by the league’s chairman. Kevin Kanyama, while his deputy, Gladman “Dallas” Sekawawana, also attended the indaba.

The league’s leadership, which also includes fixtures director, Desmund “Dezola” Ali, have been on a campaign to try and root out incompetence among referees and indiscipline among players.

They awarded Position FC all the points arguing that Europa should have continued playing the match under protest

And, an official from Europa was slapped with a US$50 fine for his involvement in the melee.

The league’s leaders concluded that the ugly turn of this match was triggered by the incompetence of the referee.

“From our general assessment as the committee, what caused this was poor officiating because from the officials’ report, there were scenes that happened in the match that he failed to highlight.

“It also seems there was an exchange which occurred during the match that needed scrutiny and, because this exchange was not noted down, there was no clear picture.

“We asked the referee’s committee for a full report and a suspension for the referee.”

Masawi has since apologised pleading for a pardon from his bosses in an open letter.

“I announce my position to take a six-month break from officiating the league’s games for now,” reads the letter.

“I will inform you as soon as l review my current position, I may take friendly games on condition of having notified you first.

“I am sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused to anyone.

“Thank you for the support.”