REFEREES BOSS SUSPENDED, FACES MATCH- FIXING ALLEGATIONS
REFEREES BOSS SUSPENDED, FACES MATCH- FIXING ALLEGATIONS
FOOTBALL House has suspended referees manager Aziph Banda following allegations of match fixing in the Zambian Premier League (ZPL).
Over the years, officiating standards have dropped in Zambia with no single match day passing without numerous complaints about match officials.
This has affected the country’s reputation and it is little wonder that the country only has one referee at the Africa Cup of Nations (AfCON) in Ivory Coast.
In a statement availed to Mwebantu, Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) general secretary Rueben Kamanga said Banda’s suspension is to pave way for investigations into lingering matters around match officiating.
“The decision was necessitated by recurring allegations of match fixing, victimization of whistle blowers and maladministration leading to numerous complaints from stakeholders,” Kamanga said.
FAZ has since announced that it will open its doors for anyone with possible information to furnish its specialized committee constituted to probe refereeing matters.
“The committee modelled around truth and reconciliation will receive submissions from stakeholders that include suspended, side lined or retired referees who have valuable information to provide for the good of the game.
“We are keeping the doors open especially for retired or suspended referees that may feel unfairly treated that they come on board for the good of the game,” Kamanga said.
FAZ says the steps taken are to protect the integrity of the game especially after having been alerted to possible fraudulent activities among match officials in collusion with other stakeholders.
Mwebantu