adminSenior Weekender Reporter
REFEREES handling matches in the zifa Eastern Region Division One League are attracting attention for the wrong reasons after altercations emanating from controversial calls in three of the eight matches played last weekend.The controversial criterion being employed in the appointment of referees has also raised eyebrows amid allegations that some last minute changes are being effected aimed at tilting the playing field in favour of preferred clubs.
Premiership promotion aspirants Masvingo City Dortmund bitterly complained about the late penalty that was awarded to Renco Mine, while the referee was manhandled in the match pitting FC Three Leaves and Mutare City Rovers.
Apparently, the set of match officials that were initially supposed to handle the FC Three Leaves/Mutare City Rovers match were changed at the 11th hour in unclear circumstances.
There were also genuine complaints about biased match officiating in the match that featured Black Eagles and correctional services side, Tanex FC.
zifa Eastern Region administrator, Tedious Machawira, expressed concern on the rise of cases of biased match officiating happening after just three rounds of league fixtures into the season. The Masvingo-based veteran football administrator said they had engaged the responsible authorities in the refereeing fraternity to find solutions to the deepening crisis.
“It is sad that we are witnessing such sad events so early in the season. We have received complaints from three matches out of the eight that were played over the weekend.
“It is not typical of early matches in the season. We normally worry about biased match officiating when the season is towards the end and not what we have experienced so far,” said Machawira.
Contacted for comment, zifa Eastern Region referees coordinator, Kennias Mavhuna, acknowledged having received verbal complaints from disgruntled clubs.
Mavhuna, who oversees the appointment of referees in the league in consultation with three provincial coordinators, distanced himself from the abrupt changes in the appointment of referees in the match pitting hosts FC Three Leaves and Mutare City Rovers.
“I have received complaints from clubs that allege that they were ill-treated by referees. They promised to put their complaints in writing and I am still to open my email so that I look at the merits and demerits of the complaints.
“Yes, there were some last minute changes that were done to the set of match officials that were supposed to handle the FC Three Leaves/Mutare City Rovers match.
“It was not my fault. I had done everything in time and my provincial coordinator, Langton Chitsa, must have been at fault because he is the one who failed to communicate in time. Up to now, I am still wondering whether he failed to communicate in time deliberately or otherwise,” said Mavhuna.
Results:
FC Three Leaves 0, Mutare City Rovers 1; Mwenezana 2, Ruwa Gunners 0; Prime Rangers 1, Hartley 1; Gutu 1, Mutoko Traders 0; Surrey 1, Melfort 1; Renco Mine 2, Masvingo City Dortmund 1; Black Eagles 0, Tanex 0; Mutare Polytechnic 2, Gaza Gunners 1:
Fixtures:
Mutare City v Mwenezana; Chiredzi v FC Three Leaves; Tanex v Mutare Poly; Masvingo City Dortmund v Black Eagles; Melfort v Renco Mine; Mutoko Traders v Surrey Abattoirs; Hartley Academy v Gutu; Ruwa Gunners v Prime Rangers; Gaza Gunners v Masvingo United.
Online Reporter