HARARE - Local football was further thrown into disarray this past weekend when second division matches were called off after a deadlock between the Premier Soccer League (PSL) and referees, The Zimbabwean can reveal.PSL acting chief executive officer, Kennedy Ndebele, said match officials salaries were at the centre of the standoff.
There were no Division Two league matches this (past) week. Our Executive Committee and the referees have reached a deadlock over the referees match fees. The executive Committee is demanding that referees reduce fees. These are the fees we have been paying since start of the season, Ndebele, who recently returned to the PSL, said from Harare .
In recent years, match officials have bemoaned poor salaries. Critics believe this was promoting corruption in the game.
The cash-strapped football mother body on the other hand is not in sound financial position to give in to demands of a raise in match fees by the match officials.
The recent developments come a few weeks after a match between Dynamos and Highlanders was abandoned after the formers players walked off the pitch after a questionable refereeing decision.
A fortnight ago, another match between hosts Highlanders and FC Victoria was called off after the visitors walked out of the league match after Highlanders were awarded a penalty.
Post published in: Opinions