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Eddie Chikamhi

Senior Sports Reporter

ZIFA Referees Committee chairperson Norman Matemera yesterday declared that match officials made the correct off-side calls to chalk off goals ‘scored’ separately by giants CAPS United and Dynamos, resulting in a chaotic weekend of football.

On Saturday, assistant referee Mncedisi Maphosa ruled out CAPS United’s goal against FC Platinum with four minutes remaining.

On Sunday, Sam Mahachi was also brave enough to raise his flag up in front of the Vietnam stand to deny the Glamour Boys a possible winner against Bulawayo Chiefs at Rufaro.

There has also been endless debate on various forums whether the two goals were indeed scored from offside positions. 

Dynamos defender Kelvin Moyo’s second half strike was ruled out as the assist from Shadreck Nyahwa was ruled to have come from an offside position following a freekick taken by Frederick Ansa-Botchway leading to chaotic scenes on the pitch as the DeMbare players mobbed the far side assistant referee Mahachi. 

Television replays suggested a close call, but the linesman got the benefit of the doubt because he was better positioned.

Matemera was highly critical of the behaviour of the CAPS United fans which led to the abandonment of their match against FC Platinum in the 86th minute. 

Veteran midfielder Ralph Kawondera was ruled offside after interfering with play from an offside position before latching on to a miscue from an FC Platinum player and curling the ball perfectly behind goalkeeper Wallace Magalane.  

Maphosa and the rest of the match officials had to flee to the safety of the changing rooms, with the angry CAPS United supporters in hot pursuit.

“I don’t know exactly what to say because violence against referees is never an option. It’s quite unfortunate. It seems like there is a calculated assault on referees, yet we have not received any official complaint from any club this season,” said Matemera.

“After careful analysis, my assistants were spot on. But instead of getting a pat on the back for getting the correct decisions, they get crucified. 

“Actually, I feel sorry for the young referee who was at Mandava because that young man could be traumatised by the type of vigilantism displayed by the CAPS United supporters. Fans should not take the law into their hands when decisions don’t go their way. 

“Referees are also human and sometimes they do make mistakes. 

“Just like football players, on certain days a referee goes off form. But that was not the case on that day. 

“When it happens that mistakes have been made, we acknowledge and corrective action is taken after reviews.

“So far, we have done our own analysis and there were three games we felt the referees didn’t do well. As I speak, those three referees are on suspension,” added Matemera.

Dynamos coach Genesis Mangombe was highly critical of the referees following the goalless draw against Bulawayo Chiefs. His CAPS United counterpart Lloyd Chitembwe launched a tirade against the officials, accusing them of “manipulating” the game and reducing topflight football to a “comic show”.

“Of course, we have heard coaches complaining in the media,” said Matemera. 

“It’s sad that sometimes coaches find referees as soft targets and scapegoats when things are not going on well with their teams.  

 “If there is a genuine issue, they know the channels. 

“I even feel sorry for some of the coaches because you can easily see that they are commenting from a position of ignorance. 

“The offside law is one of the shortest topics, yet it is very challenging and very controversial. 

 “The laws of the game are constantly changing and it seems they don’t understand the changes. 

“Resources permitting, it is up to us referees to engage them and we constantly share notes on these things,” said Matemera. 

“We also say no to corruption. It also happens that teams can connive to bribe referees and we are saying a referee should reports such approaches to the relevant authorities. 

“If they fail to do so and there is sufficient evidence that they had been bribed, I tell you the culprit will not a survive another day as a referee. 

“Match fixing is a serious allegation, which most of the time is difficult to prove we continue to encourage people to report such nefarious activities,” said Matemera. 

Meanwhile, Makepekepe yesterday apologised for the mayhem witnessed at Mandava. The club’s leadership said they condemned in the strongest terms any acts of hooliganism and urged the ringleaders to be brought to book.

“CAPS United Football Club would like to apologise sincerely for such recent behaviour, incidences and skirmishes that keeps destroying our beloved sport and wishes to strongly and confidently assure all football stakeholders including all regulatory authorities that necessary measures are currently underway to protect the image of the club, the Premier League, the Sponsors, and everyone else involved in football at large.

“Let us all take responsibility and work together as CAPS United family, as CAPS United supporters and as CAPS United stakeholders in creating a safer, peaceful, attractive, and enjoyable football environment,” said the club in a statement.