Refereeing decisions cast shadow over PSL relegation drama

The conclusion of the 2025 Castle Lager Premiership season has left GreenFuel FC and its fans reeling after the club was relegated, finishing fourth from the bottom on the log due to a narrow point difference with the team above it. The relegation drama, however, has been compounded by a string of controversial refereeing decisions that many argue unfairly influenced the league standings.

Weeks before the season ended, Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) suspended referee Rusununguko Mutero for six matches following his performance during the Premier Soccer League clash between GreenFuel FC and FC Platinum on 26 July 2025 at GreenFuel Arena. ZIFA cited the match commissioner’s report, which stated that Mutero’s officiating fell short of required standards, constituting a breach of Paragraph 21 of the Referees’ Code of Conduct. According to the report, he allegedly ignored three penalty incidents that could have turned the match in GreenFuel’s favour.

Mutero’s suspension was handed down under Paragraph 21.18 of the Premier Soccer League Rules and Regulations Final of 2015, which stipulates that referees consistently involved in contentious decisions are subject to disciplinary action. The suspension adds to a growing list of PSL referees disciplined this season, including Lloyd Mapanje, Claris Simango, and Grace Gimo, as well as Owen Manenda, Lawrence Zimondi, Nelson Meke, Tichaona Mbire, and Quedisani Dirwai.

While suspensions have become a regular corrective measure, concerns persist that they are insufficient deterrents. Investigations suggest that some financially powerful clubs are bribing match officials with sums exceeding US$2,500 to secure favourable decisions. Given that PSL referees earn US$180 per match and assistants US$160, a six-match suspension results in a potential loss of US$1,080. In comparison, the bribe could not only cover the lost earnings but provide an additional US$1,420, raising troubling questions about the integrity of officiating.

ZIFA chief executive Yvonne Manwa defended the association’s actions, emphasizing a commitment to integrity and professional standards. “ZIFA takes refereeing integrity extremely seriously. When standards are not met, we take corrective action. These measures are yielding positive results, evident in the increasing number of Zimbabwean referees entrusted with CAF and FIFA assignments,” she said.

However, the true impact is felt most keenly by fans and clubs. Kelvin Mapangisana, a supporter of Manica Diamonds, expressed his frustration over biased officiating. “It is disheartening that football authorities are ignoring the losses clubs suffer due to subpar match officiating. Last Sunday at Sakubva Stadium, the referee, Arnold Ncube, gave MWOS a free pass. The five minutes of added time were unwarranted, clearly intended to allow his preferred team to equalise. My club lost crucial points while the referee might only face a six-week suspension,” he said.

Witness Usayi, another fan, suggested more severe penalties for biased refereeing. “There should be a more deterrent way of dealing with these cases. Even if it means suspending the referee for the entire season, let it be, because we cannot attend matches whose results are decided by officials,” he stated.

GreenFuel FC supporter Joice Sithole highlighted the commercial implications of such controversies. “Those running the affairs of the game must consider the sponsors. No one will want to invest in a league where match results are decided by flawed officiating. It is really bad for the game,” she said.

As the dust settles on another turbulent season, questions linger over whether disciplinary measures are strong enough to safeguard the integrity of Zimbabwean football, and whether fans and clubs will continue to bear the brunt of refereeing errors that can make or break a season.