Chiyangwa warns referees

ZIMBABWE Referees' Committee chairperson Philip Chiyangwa has challenged match officials to conduct themselves in a professional manner whenever presiding over matches if they are to last the distance in this game.

Addressing the referees for the first time since he landed the chairperson's post at his offices in Harare yesterday, Chiyangwa said his administration will not tolerate any form of mediocrity on the part of the match officials.

"Referees are a very important component of football administration and management. When the ref is on the pitch, they are the boss and no one can interfere so you have to make the right decisions," said Chiyangwa.

"Fifa rules and regulations are that no other person can do anything when you are still on the pitch.

"As referees, you have to be professional and make sure that you don't become the news at the end of the game.

"Spectators should go back home discussing how good the match was not discussing some questionable decisions the referee would have made.

"Don't be lured by anyone to take bribes to influence the outcome of matches. We will have a team to be headed by someone credible which will be working around those corruption issues."

Zifa established the Referees' Committee along with other sub-committees which are expected to assist in the administration of the game.

Chiyangwa said he will visit Bulawayo, along with a crack investigative team, on a mission to establish what actually transpired in the ill-fated Bulawayo derby which featured Chicken Inn and Highlanders two weeks ago.

The game ended in a 1-1 stalemate but was marred by some controversial officiating towards the end which torched violence.

"I am going to visit Bulawayo and I have also instructed my team in Bulawayo to find out who were behind the chaotic scenes which erupted on the day in question," said Chiyangwa.

Chiyangwa said football should bring peace and unite people.