Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
IMAGINE a club like GreenFuel FC finishing fourth from bottom on the log table, and getting relegated due to a point difference with the team above it at the end of the 2025 Castle Lager Premiership season.
Rewind to a few weeks before the season end, when ZIFA suspended referee, Rusununguko Mutero from officiating in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League for six matches.
“The decision follows an assessment of his performance during the Premier Soccer League match between GreenFuel FC and FC Platinum, played on July 26, 2025 at GreenFuel Arena. The match commissioner report highlighted that Mutero’s officiating fell short of the required standards, thereby constituting a breach of Paragraph 21 of the Referees’ Code of Conduct,” reads part of the ZIFA statement.
Mutero’s punishment was handed down under Paragraph 21.18 of the Premier Soccer League Rules and Regulations Final of 2015.
The clause states that any referee consistently involved in making contentious decisions shall be reported to the ZIFA Referees Committee for disciplinary action.
According to reports, Mutero allegedly ignored three penalty incidents that could have led to GreenFuel’s victory had they been utilised.
His suspension adds to the growing list of referees punished this season, including Lloyd Mapanje, Claris Simango, and Grace Gimo.
Other referees suspended since the start of the season are Owen Manenda, Lawrence Zimondi, Nelson Meke, Tichaona Mbire, and Quedisani
Dirwai.
However, as referees get suspended for mistakes, many of which appear deliberate and intended to unfairly benefit their preferred teams, losing clubs are being denied crucial points that will significantly alter the league standings. These points can never be recovered.
This raises questions about whether the suspensions are sufficient deterrents.
The Post Sport understands that referees in the PSL receive US$180 per match, while their assistants earn US$160 each.
In contrast, those officiating in Division One league matches receive US$60, with their assistants earning US$50.
Investigations by this newspaper have uncovered that some financially powerful clubs are bribing match officials with over US$2 500 to secure dubious decisions in their favour.
Simple mathematics reveal that a referee stands to lose US$1 080 in earnings when suspended for six matches.
This context raises a disturbing possibility – a referee may willingly accept a six-match suspension – as the potential bribe they receive could, not only cover the lost earnings, but also provide a substantial US$1 420 bonus.
When contacted for comment, ZIFA chief executive, Yvonne Manwa, said: “ZIFA takes refereeing integrity extremely seriously.
When standards are not met, we take corrective action. These measures are yielding positive results, evident in the increasing number of Zimbabwean
referees entrusted with CAF and FIFA assignments. This recognition demonstrates
that our officials are enhancing their quality, professionalism, and fitness.
We remain committed to elevating standards even further.”
However, the true owners of the game – the fans -remain unhappy.
Kelvin Mapangisana, a staunch supporter of Manica Diamonds, expressed his frustration: “It is disheartening that football authorities are ignoring the losses clubs suffer due to subpar match officiating. Last Sunday at Sakubva Stadium in Mutare, the referee, Arnold Ncube from Masvingo, gave MWOS a free pass. The five minutes of added time were unwarranted, clearly intended to allow his preferred team to equalise. I am sure the referee was the happiest person, even more so than MWOS coach, Lloyd Mutasa, as the desired result prevailed.
“The most painful aspect is that the referee might receive a six-week suspension, and after that, returns to action, while my club has lost crucial points. It is heart-breaking.”
Witness Usayi, another avid local football fan, added:
“There should be a more deterrent way of dealing with these cases of biased officiating. Even if it means suspending the referee for the entire season, let
it be because we cannot attend matches whose results are decided by referees.”
GreenFuel FC fan, Joice Sithole said: “I think those running the affairs of the game must spare a thought for the sponsors. No one will ever want to put their money into something so flawed as domestic PSL match officiating. It is really bad for the game.”
Referees suspension, clubs losing points: Who suffers the most?
