Referees To Compulsorily Affiliate?

It is either they are yet to be informed or there is an “Official Secrets Act” at Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) that gags them to speak to the media.

But news doing the rounds in the grapevine is to the effect that the association’s referees panel has introduced fees to be paid by members for them to compulsorily affiliate.

The announcement is said to have originated from the office of Sabelo Maphosa who is the Referees Committee secretary.

Contacted for comment, she referred this news portal to the Zifa head office where the association’s Chief Operations Officer, Xolisanio Gwesela, was not picking up his phone.

While Ruzive Ruzive, who is also a member of the panel, could not be reached for comment, other referees professed ignorance on this latest development.

One such is Kanzvimbo Kanzvimbo, who said he was yet to receive the communication. In normal circumstances, he said, all notices are shared on the referees Whatsapp platform.

According to sources, it is now compulsory for all members to pay subscriptions to the football association, whose amounts have been announced as follows:

Fifa panel officials – US$100

Zifa panel officials – US$50

Class One – US$30

Class Two – US$15

Class Three – US$10

Class Four – US$5.

Match commissioners for international matches will be required to pay US$150, their PSL counterparts US$75 while referees in Division One will part with US$30.