Photo Credit: LIBERTINO
By KUDAKWASHE KUTINYO
TOPFLIGHT league match officials have been criticised for poor officiating in the opening games of the 2024 Zimbabwe Castle Lager Premiere Soccer League season following a recent chaos between Caps United and FC Platinum at Mandava Stadium.
In the opening 5 matches of the premier leagues most coaches have aired much of their grievances to matchday referees who either misjudge, or reflect some favouritism to certain teams.
Speaking during an interview, the ZIFA Referees committee chairman Norman Matemera highlighted that coaches, players and other stakeholders need to be mentored about the new football laws.
"Now it's a challenge to us that we have to engage the PSL and ask so that we have a workshop were we help our coaches to understand the changes of the law of the game. We need to regularly get in touch with them through official means so that we try and educate them and they also teach their players", he said.
He also added that those who criticise them are mostly holders of certificates attained decades ago when football wasa bit backward.
"Some of these coaches had football rules course when they were in level 1 or 2 that is 10, 20 years ago and they have never had any refresher course after that,those are the ones venting their anger of on us. We are crucified everyday by people who are not qualified to do, who have no knowledge of the game", said Mr Matemera.
FC Platinum coach Norman Mapeza last season threatened to quit the beautiful game of football due to poor officiating and this season he has also criticised the referees for not protecting players who are being kicked from behind resulting to injuries.
Recently a match between FC Platinum and Caps United was abandoned after angry fans invaded the pitch for a disallowed goal claiming the referee was biased.
Footballball teams such as Greenfuel, Simba Bhora and FC Platinum have also been rumoured to be difficult to defeat when playing at home, not due to their brilliant performance but pointing that the referees tend to be strict against away teams while tender to home teams.
Another recent chaos was the disallowed goal for Dynamos against Bulawayo Chiefs which coach Genesis Kaka Mangombe slammed the referees for their failure to collect maximum points in the few matches played.
However three unnamed referees have so far been suspended in the 2024 season for a lengthy period of three to six matches after they officiated matches that recently affected the final outcome.
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