News / National
Dynamos, FC Platinum game must be handled by a foreign referees: ZIFA president
04 Nov 2011 at 21:10hrs | Views
ZIFA president Cuthbert Dube wants the potentially-explosive Mbada Diamonds Cup semi-final tie between Dynamos and FC Platinum at Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday to be handled by a foreign referee, Daily News reported on Friday.
Dube made the announcement at a function to unveil the Zifa Constitutional Review Committee in Harare yesterday.
The Zifa boss said the cup showdown between the two clubs, who are also engaged in a fierce battle for the league title, must not be handled by a referee prone to bribery.
Allegations of corruption against local referees have increased as the domestic season draws to a close.
PSL debutants Platinum, who are perched at the top of the table with three games to go, lead second-placed Dynamos by three points.
Apart from the title race, the two clubs have also targeted the Mbada Cup to accomplish a remarkable cup and league double.
"The game between Platinum and Dynamos must be handled by referees from outside the country," said Dube.
"We are taking the issue of corrupt refereeing very seriously. Explosive games should be handled by foreign referees. We are scaring away sponsors because of the corruption by referees."
Dube, however said he had not spoken to the Premier Soccer League (PSL) bosses about his proposal.
"I haven't consulted the PSL chairman Mr Twine Phiri, but I will do so after this meeting. I am just taking advantage of the presence of the media here to announce this."
Meanwhile, a four-member Zifa Constitutional Review Committee chaired by lawyer Cosmas Mukwesha was commissioned by the Zifa president yesterday.
The all-lawyer committee, whose other committee members are Chicken Inn secretary Tawengwa Hara, Tim Sangarwe and Tinoda Hove, has been tasked with ensuring that the Zifa constitution as well as the local football governing body's rules and regulations conform to the laws of the land, the Sport and Recreation Act (SRC) and Fifa statutes.
"Our constitution was hastily put together in 2009 as a compromise document ahead of the 2010 elections," Dube said.
"Some provisions were clouded by petty issues, sectarian interests and above all selfish interests".
Dube made the announcement at a function to unveil the Zifa Constitutional Review Committee in Harare yesterday.
The Zifa boss said the cup showdown between the two clubs, who are also engaged in a fierce battle for the league title, must not be handled by a referee prone to bribery.
Allegations of corruption against local referees have increased as the domestic season draws to a close.
PSL debutants Platinum, who are perched at the top of the table with three games to go, lead second-placed Dynamos by three points.
Apart from the title race, the two clubs have also targeted the Mbada Cup to accomplish a remarkable cup and league double.
"The game between Platinum and Dynamos must be handled by referees from outside the country," said Dube.
"We are taking the issue of corrupt refereeing very seriously. Explosive games should be handled by foreign referees. We are scaring away sponsors because of the corruption by referees."
Dube, however said he had not spoken to the Premier Soccer League (PSL) bosses about his proposal.
"I haven't consulted the PSL chairman Mr Twine Phiri, but I will do so after this meeting. I am just taking advantage of the presence of the media here to announce this."
Meanwhile, a four-member Zifa Constitutional Review Committee chaired by lawyer Cosmas Mukwesha was commissioned by the Zifa president yesterday.
The all-lawyer committee, whose other committee members are Chicken Inn secretary Tawengwa Hara, Tim Sangarwe and Tinoda Hove, has been tasked with ensuring that the Zifa constitution as well as the local football governing body's rules and regulations conform to the laws of the land, the Sport and Recreation Act (SRC) and Fifa statutes.
"Our constitution was hastily put together in 2009 as a compromise document ahead of the 2010 elections," Dube said.
"Some provisions were clouded by petty issues, sectarian interests and above all selfish interests".
Source - Daily News
