Muzambi lauds referees

restoring legacy indeed. We have worked on instilling of discipline and professionalism among the referees and it is bearing fruit. With one round of matches to go to before the end of the PSL season, we look with satisfaction on the performance of referees in the elite league.

“We had no official complaints from clubs. We are also happy that the PSL have also weighed in with quickly dealing with errant clubs whose fans caused disturbances at matches.

“Going forward, more of our efforts will be put in up-skilling the lower classes of referees,’’ Muzambi said.

The PSL this week also delivered judgments in which they penalised champions FC Platinum with a $1 500 fine and runners-up Ngezi Platinum Stars for offences against the security of match officials.

“The PSL disciplinary committee has fined FC Platinum following an incident that saw match officials’ tyres being deflated after a PSL match featuring FC Platinum and Herentals played at Mandava on Sunday 15 September 2018.

“In terms of the PSL rules and regulations Order 31.1.1.15, it is an act of misconduct on the part of the club where: It fails to protect match officials against acts or attempted acts of violence or any form of abuse before, during or after a match. FC Platinum were ordered to pay $1 000 by November 30, while $500 was suspended for the 2019 season “on condition that the accused is not convicted of a similar offence.

In the case of Ngezi Platinum, it was their versatile player Liberty Chakoroma who was found guilty of assaulting a match official after a Chibuku Super Cup first round match against Herentals FC at Baobab Stadium, played on Saturday 22 September 2018.

Chakoroma was charged for contravening PSL rules and regulations Order 31.2.9 , which state that it in an act of misconduct on the part of a player who: “assaults, intimidates, coerces, interferes, misleads or insults a match official, player, official of the league, public, press or media, or any person, before, during or after a match.

Chakoroma was suspended for three matches starting this afternoon and which will be carried over to the start of the 2019 season. He was also ordered to pay the costs of the hearing. Muzambi is also happy to note the growing confidence that the Confederation of African Football has been placing on local referees, with two sets of officials being tasked to handle matches in the Champions League and Confederation Cup preliminary round games which begin next week.

Zimbabwe champions FC Platinum are also involved in the Champions League and will begin their campaign