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ZIFA suspends 3 referees over poor match performances
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The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) has suspended three Premier Soccer League match officials for what it described as substandard officiating in recent top-flight matches.
In a rare public announcement on Thursday, ZIFA named the affected referees as Lawrence Zimondi, Nelson Meke, and Tichaona Mbire, stating that their performances fell significantly below the standards expected in elite football.
"ZIFA wishes to inform stakeholders and the general public of the suspension of three match officials due to performances that fell significantly short of the standards expected in top-tier matches," the association said in a statement.
The suspensions follow a detailed review conducted by the ZIFA Referees Committee.
Referee Lawrence Zimondi has been barred from officiating Premier League matches from Match Day 11 to Match Day 14 — a four-week ban. This follows controversial officiating in two high-profile matches: the clash between Highlanders and CAPS United on 13 April at Barbourfields Stadium, and the Ngezi Platinum versus Yadah encounter on 30 April at Baobab Stadium.
Nelson Meke has also received a four-week suspension, covering Match Day 11 to Match Day 14, after a poor showing in the match between Scotland and Herentals on 1 May at Rufaro Stadium.
Tichaona Mbire faces the longest sanction, suspended from Match Day 11 to Match Day 16 (six weeks). His suspension stems from what ZIFA called an unsatisfactory performance in the MWOS vs Manica Diamonds fixture played on 1 May at Ngoni Stadium.
ZIFA emphasized that it remains committed to upholding the integrity of Zimbabwean football.
"All match officials are expected to maintain the highest levels of professionalism, consistency, and competence. Corrective action will be taken wherever standards are not met," the association said.
Historically, ZIFA has handled disciplinary action against referees quietly to avoid stigmatisation, but the recent decision to go public signals a new era of transparency and accountability in Zimbabwean football officiating.
In a rare public announcement on Thursday, ZIFA named the affected referees as Lawrence Zimondi, Nelson Meke, and Tichaona Mbire, stating that their performances fell significantly below the standards expected in elite football.
"ZIFA wishes to inform stakeholders and the general public of the suspension of three match officials due to performances that fell significantly short of the standards expected in top-tier matches," the association said in a statement.
The suspensions follow a detailed review conducted by the ZIFA Referees Committee.
Referee Lawrence Zimondi has been barred from officiating Premier League matches from Match Day 11 to Match Day 14 — a four-week ban. This follows controversial officiating in two high-profile matches: the clash between Highlanders and CAPS United on 13 April at Barbourfields Stadium, and the Ngezi Platinum versus Yadah encounter on 30 April at Baobab Stadium.
Tichaona Mbire faces the longest sanction, suspended from Match Day 11 to Match Day 16 (six weeks). His suspension stems from what ZIFA called an unsatisfactory performance in the MWOS vs Manica Diamonds fixture played on 1 May at Ngoni Stadium.
ZIFA emphasized that it remains committed to upholding the integrity of Zimbabwean football.
"All match officials are expected to maintain the highest levels of professionalism, consistency, and competence. Corrective action will be taken wherever standards are not met," the association said.
Historically, ZIFA has handled disciplinary action against referees quietly to avoid stigmatisation, but the recent decision to go public signals a new era of transparency and accountability in Zimbabwean football officiating.
Source - the chronicle
