Media urged to report coaches who snub post match interviews

THE Castle Lager Premier Soccer League has urged the media to report coaches who snub post-match interviews. While it is a requirement and a punishable offence under the PSL regulations for coaches to attend post-match briefings there is a growing tendency among some club mentors to play truant rendering the job of the media difficult.

In a statement on Friday, PSL communication and media liaison officer Kudzai Bare appealed to the media to formally report any captain or coach who refuses to be interviewed after matches as that would be in breach of PSL regulations and standing orders.

She said unless they (PSL) were made aware of the misconduct by the club officials they won't be able to take any action.

"According to the PSL Standing Orders all clubs are obliged to make the head coach available for post-match interviews, failure of which will attract a fine for the said coach and his club. The PSL cannot take action on the issue of coaches snubbing interviews unless official complaints have been received or where there is evidence. We urge the media to formally report any coach or captain who refuses to speak to them after matches.

"It is unfortunate that PSL staff may not be available at all league matches to note such issues, however, we have been encouraging clubs to employ media liaison officers who will assist in managing these matters and creating harmony between the media and the football clubs."

Bare revealed they had already fined Caps United coach Lloyd Chitembwe and Chicken Inn gaffer Rahman Gumbo for failing to present themselves at post-match media interviews. Meanwhile, in a related matter Tsholotsho FC have written to the PSL apologising for the absence of their coach, Lizwe Sweswe at the post-match interview following their match against Caps United.

The club's secretary, Trust Kwembeya, said their coach had been taken ill hence his failure to attend but in future they would make sure the coach attended without fail.

Bare said they have organised a media workshop which begins on Wednesday with one of the objectives being to explore the relationship between football clubs and the media. Sports Journalists Association (Spoja) Southern Region chairman Muziwethu Hadebe applauded the PSL for making efforts to ensure coaches availed themselves for the interviews.

Hadebe said journalists in the region had made use of media rooms at the stadia instead of holding it on the pitch, something that has worked well with all coaches cooperating.