Referees who handled the Mbada Diamonds Cup first round tie between Monomotapa and Hardbody at Dulibadzimu Stadium in Beitbridge on Saturday were involved in a match fee row with the sponsors after the match.
Report by Tawanda Tafirenyika According to information obtained by NewsDay Sport yesterday, referee Mlindeli Ndebele, assistants Rudo Nanhanga, Salani Ncube and fourth official Nkosana Nduna refused to accept the match fees of $150 for the centre and $120 for the assistants.
They are reported to have demanded more from the sponsors after the match, leading to a standoff.
An official from Mbada Diamonds confirmed the standoff.
“We received reports that the referees who handled the match between Monomotapa and Hardbody in Beitbridge complained about the match fees at the end of the match. They demanded that they be paid more.
“I am sure an agreement was finally reached. But I don’t have much information because the guy who was in Beitbridge is currently out of the country. We were actually surprised because this had been agreed upon prior to the matches. It’s only in Beitbridge where we had problems with match officials. At other venues we did not face any problems with referees at all,” said the official yesterday.
Interestingly, match officials are paid $135 for the referee and $120 for the assistants and fourth official when on duty for Premier Soccer League matches, which is less than what the Mbada Diamonds Cup sponsors were paying. Referees’ Association secretary Tendai Bwanya, however, said he was not aware of complaints by referees.
“I am not aware of those complaints. It has not come to my attention and I cannot comment,” he said.
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Monomotapa booted Hardbody out following a 3-2 victory with Ronald Chitiyo scoring the first hat-trick in the richest knockout tournament in the country in a five-goal thriller. Hardbody scored their goals through Jacob Muzokomba (penalty) and a headed goal by Piniel Manhope.
The victory set Monomotapa for a potentially intriguing quarter-final clash against Bulawayo giants Highlanders who laboured to a 2-1 victory over 10-man Blue Rangers.
