HARARE, Zimbabwe — Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) don announce suspension of three match officials wey their performance no reach top-tier standard. Dis announcement come on Thursday as ZIFA confirm sey referees Lawrence Zimondi, Nelson Meke, and Tichaona Mbire go sit down for four to six weeks.
ZIFA release statement wey talk sey dem take dis action after dem review di performances of di referees carefully. Dem say, “ZIFA wish to inform stakeholders and di general public of di suspension of three match officials due to performances wey fall significantly short of di standards expected in top-tier matches.”
Referee Zimondi go miss officiating for Premier League matches from Match day 11 to Match day 14, wey be four weeks. Na substandard officiating for two matches cause dis: Highlanders vs CAPS United on April 13, 2025, for Barbourfields Stadium, and Ngezi Platinum vs Yadah on April 30, 2025, for Baobab Stadium.
For Nelson Meke, him go also sit down from officiating for di same period, Match day 11 to Match day 14, because of poor performance wey show during Scotland vs Herentals match on May 1, 2025, for Rufaro Stadium.
Tichaona Mbire go miss more weeks as him suspension dey from Match day 11 to Match day 16, wey be six weeks. Dis decision come after him unsatisfactory performance for di MWOS vs Manica Diamonds match wey happen on May 1, 2025, for Ngoni Stadium.
ZIFA make am clear sey dem dey serious about maintaining di integrity and credibility of football for di country. Dem talk sey, “All match officials suppose maintain di highest levels of professionalism, consistency, and competence. Corrective action go dey for wherever standards no meet.”
Dis no be di first time ZIFA dey publicly announce penalties for referees. Last season, dem don suspend referee Cecil Ngwezere and assistant referee Zondzi Ngosana for six weeks after dem make mistake wey affect di Chibuku Super Cup match between Highlanders and Simba Bhora.
ZIFA dey try to protect di game and ensure sey referees do their job as dem suppose. Dis suspension show sey dem dey ready to hold people accountable for di conduct wey affect di game.
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