adminSikhumbuzo Moyo
ZIMBABWE managed to meet the 20 September deadline to submit its proposed list of Fifa 2014 international referees.
Fifa is however yet to confirm the final list of those that will be on its panel. Zimbabwe has proposed three male centre referees, six assistants as well as three female main match officials and two assistants.
“The list has been forwarded to Fifa and until they confirm receipt we are not in a position to reveal the total number sent and indeed the names of the proposed referees,” said Zifa communications manager Xolisani Gwesela.
According to a circular sent by Fifa to its associations last month, proposed referees should be at least 25 years old or 23 years old in the case of assistant referees and shall not have reached the age of 45 on 1 January of the year for which they have been nominated unless they have previously appeared on the list which they are being proposed.
Quoting Article Four, paragraph seven, the circular said; “The proposed referees shall have passed the appropriate Fifa fitness test related to the list they belong to within the four months prior to the deadline for nomination for the lists of international referees and assistant referees (between 20.05.2013 and 20.09.2013).”
Fifa said nominated referees should have passed a medical examination certifying that they are fit to act as referees within the four months prior to the deadline for nomination.
The Fifa Referees’ Committee will examine all nominations and decide who to include in the 2014 Fifa lists of international referees.
“The proposed referees shall have officiated regularly at matches in the highest division in their country for at least two years. Only candidates who have officiated more often as assistant referees than as referees in the previous 12 months may be considered for the list of international assistant referees,” said Fifa.
Only women referees or women assistant referees who have passed Fifa’s physical fitness test for men may be nominated for men’s tournaments or matches.
The member associations shall supply Fifa with the rankings of the proposed referees based on the marks obtained at national level. These rankings shall apply only to First Division matches at which they have officiated in the 12 months prior to their nomination.
The Hwange duo of Bekezela Makeka, Hardly Ndazi, Bulawayo’s Philani Ncube and Nduna Nkosana are some of the referees whose names could have been submitted for consideration.
Last year there was an outcry over some of the names that were sent to Fifa as it was felt some of them did not meet the minimum qualifications.
Online Reporter