Referee up for insulting Chivero

Raymond Jaravaza
PREMIER Soccer League referee Thomas Massa was detained at Barbourfields Police Station and later released after paying a $10 fine for insulting a Bulawayo City FC official.

Massa was the referee in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League Week 28 match when Bulawayo City FC beat ZPC Kariba 3-1 at Barbourfields Stadium last Sunday.

After the match Bulawayo City FC media and liaison officer Eddie Chivero approached referee Massa in the pitch to applaud the match official on a a�?good performancea�?.

Chivero, however, allegedly told Massa that despite a good performance with the whistle he felt the referee had denied the Bulawayo City Council owned team a a�?cleara�? second half penalty.

But Massa did not take kindly to the criticism and proceeded to shout at Chivero with unprintable words.

The Bulawayo City FC official alerted police officers about the insult and was advised to a make a report at the nearby Barbourfields Police Station.

Match commissioner of the day Thomas Kusosa was also informed about the insult allegations.

Bulawayo police spokesperson Precious Simango confirmed receiving the report.

At the police station the referee apologised for the transgression and was released after paying a fine.

Chivero said Bulawayo City FC would take up the issue with the PSL.

a�?We will make an official complaint as a club to the Premier Soccer League because we feel such behavior is totally unacceptable. Before taking up the issue with the police I also informed the match commissioner Kusosa,a�? said Chivero.

It is the not the first time that Massa has courted controversy.

In July after a league match between Border Strikers and Tsholotsho FC at Maglas Stadium in Zvishavane, Massa allegedly jumped into a Border Strikers officiala��s car demanding his match fees.

Border Strikers, at the time reeling from financial difficulties, had failed to pay the match officials a�� the referee, two assistants and fourth official a�� their match fees and Massa did not take it kindly and allegedly jumped into club official Ephat Shokoa��s car demanding his dues.