Bear with us, plead local coaches
PREMIER Soccer League coaches have pleaded with football authorities to create an environment where coaches can speak their minds out without fear of being fined or victimised for airing their views.
Coaches have often fallen foul of the league’s rules and regulations mainly for complaining against biases and criticising match officials.
Under Order 13 of the Premier Soccer League Standing Orders and Fines, it is an offence for a player or coach to make comments in the media implying bias or questioning the integrity of match officials, thereby bringing the league or its sponsors into disrepute.
But the coaches emerged from their workshop organised by the PSL in Harare yesterday in high spirits after thrashing out the issues.
“I think these workshops are needed more often so that as coaches and PSL officials, we constantly share ideas. So this was refreshing and we discussed quite a bit of local football and I think we have gone a step ahead. We are heading in the right direction,” said FC Platinum’s Norman Mapeza.
The former Zimbabwe international, who along with Johannes Nhumwa were fined by the league for speaking out against the deteriorating standards of refereeing, said some of the statements were made in the heat of the moment and also argued that sometimes coaches needed to be heard as they raise pertinent issues that may contribute to the good health of the game.
“We were all happy with the discussions with the CEO of the PSL and I hope some of the things we discussed will be implemented this season.
“As coaches we need to say whatever we feel especially after matches. We don’t need to feel like we are going to be victimised.
“I think that’s what we agreed upon: if there is a need for us to talk we need to talk. Of course I know there will be fines and all but, at the end of the day, will this help us in terms of developing our football?
“So, why should we keep quiet when things are not okay? Maybe there is a better way to address it but at the end of the day we need to talk as coaches… It’s not like we are going to mourn for all the 34 games but when we are not happy, I think we just need to say it out.
“If there is no transparency, there is no professionalism. We have seen it happen in Europe; I was talking about the issue when Arsenal lost to Newcastle United, I think Mikel Arteta was fuming all over the place.
“Of course, the approach might not have been the correct one but at the end of the day we heard what he was complaining about. “So there is no difference between us and those guys coaching in Europe. So if there is anything
amiss, we need to talk and these guys need to listen and we move along,” said Mapeza. Coaches the world over have tried to be honest in post-match interviews.
◆ Full report on www.herald.co.zw