By a Correspondent
The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) has suspended five match officials over serious officiating errors that allegedly influenced the outcome of league matches, in a move that has reignited concerns about the integrity of local football nearly two decades after the infamous Asiagate scandal.
In a statement, ZIFA said the officials had each been handed six-match suspensions after reports from match commissioners found they had made incorrect officiating decisions that materially affected the results of matches, in breach of Article 22 of the ZIFA Referees Code of Conduct.
The suspended officials are assistant referee Phikisani Ndlovu, referee Chamunorwa Tapiwa, assistant referee Christian Gumbeze, referee Graduate Mubobo, and assistant referee Praise Mkwevo.
Ndlovu will miss six Castle Lager Premier Soccer League matches, from Matchday 21 to Matchday 26, following his performance during the FC Platinum versus Hunters FC fixture played at Mandava Stadium on 27 June which ended in a 1-1 draw.
Tapiwa and Gumbeze were suspended for six Northern Region Soccer League matches after their officiating in the Marere FC versus Zambezi G & C FC encounter at Centenary Ground on 21 June.
Mubobo and Mkwevo were also banned for six Southern Region Soccer League matches over their handling of a fixture played at Chinotimba Stadium on 24 June.
The suspensions come amid renewed scrutiny of football governance and refereeing standards in Zimbabwe, with some observers describing the development as one of the most significant integrity-related cases since the Asiagate match-fixing scandal of 2005 to 2007, which resulted in lengthy bans for dozens of players, officials and administrators.
ZIFA said it remains committed to protecting the integrity of the game by enforcing high standards of officiating and accountability across all domestic competitions.
“The Zimbabwe Football Association remains committed to upholding high standards of officiating, integrity and accountability across all competitions,” the association said.
The disciplinary action is expected to intensify debate over the quality of refereeing in Zimbabwean football and whether stronger measures are needed to deter manipulation of match results.
