Local Soccer Refs shown red card again

IN a clear sign of lack of confidence and gross mistrust of local football officials, the final Mbada Diamonds Cup between Dynamos and Motor Action will be handled by foreign referees, a senior Castle Premier Soccer League official has said.

The match is going to be played in a fortnight at Rufaro Stadium.

Match officials from South Africa handled the Dynamos - FC Platinum tie at Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo while Zambian referees were in charge of the Zimbabwe Saints – Motor Action game at Sakubva in Mutare.

Castle Premier League chairman Twine Phiri said yesterday, "We had a meeting with the sponsors and it was agreed that that for the final we are going to import foreign referees again."

He added that for local matches, the association will use locals.

"It must be noted that these referees (foreign) were only brought in for the Cup game and league matches will be handled by locals," said Phiri.

Phiri also said bringing in foreign referees does not mean that Zimbabwe does not have good referees as the country already has some in the Fifa panel.

Officiating by foreign referees in the past game have been lauded by Zifa and other stakeholders in the sport.

Local referees have been viewed with suspicion and accused of brown envelop seeking which has compromised their judgment.