Online Reporter
Fungai Muderere [email protected]
THE Zimbabwe Football Association (Zifa) has suspended three match officials over poor performances in recent Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) matches.
Referees Lloyd Mapanje and Venancio Zulu, together with assistant referee Muroiwa Wirimai, were sanctioned for breaching the Referees Code of Conduct relating to the interpretation and application of the Laws of the Game.
Zulu received a five-match suspension following his handling of the Bulawayo Chiefs versus Chicken Inn clash at Barbourfields Stadium on April 25, while Wirimai was suspended for six matches after the MWOS FC against Scottland FC encounter at Ngoni Stadium on the same day.
Mapanje was also handed a six-match ban following his performance during the Scottland FC versus Simba Bhora match played at Rufaro Stadium on May 3. In a communique released on on Thursday, Zifa said the move reflects its ” commitment to improving refereeing standards and safeguarding the integrity of local football competitions.”-@FungaiMuderere
Those who don’t know what is going on will think ZIFA is taking appropriate action. True, it may but believe me, referees are being paid handsomely by certain clubs and this has been the practice within our football for years and will remain so as long as disparities among clubs remain. A league where one club cannot afford to feed players while another pays $1500.00 bonus for a win cannot operate in any fair way. Rich clubs are getting points through buying off officials when they play the so-called poor clubs. Who can argue when Scottland “beats” say Agama or Hunters? Most referees are rotten to the core.