REPORTS that a match referee demanded to inspect the inner parts of a player he had suspected was practising witchcraft — in public — were to say the least appalling.
During a Mainland Premier League match between Mgambo JKT and defending champions Young Africans in Tanga on Sunday, match referee Alex Mahagi allegedly demanded to check the underclothes of Mgambo JKT player, Mohamed Neto, whom he suspected of having an ‘unusual’ object on him.
It is yet to be proved what really happened but it is suggested that some Yanga players accused the opponent player of carrying a sharp object while others suggested that the player was using witchcraft (‘juju’ or muti).
In a dramatic turn of events, the match referee took the matter in his own hands and forced the player to publicly show what he was carrying.
And as if that was not enough, the official allegedly wanted to personally conduct a thorough check-up which the player vehemently refused. Neto was subsequently dismissed but his team went ahead to win the match 2-1. What happened at the Mkwakwani Stadium that day is bad and sad and takes our football back to the ‘dark ages’.
Apparently, similar witchcraft claims emerged in Tanga when Simba and Mbeya City went to play against Mgambo and Coastal Union and the stadium officials said they had to install electronic gadgets that will detect any ‘juju’ connected activities at the venue — another ‘new technology’, altogether.
It is not clear whether the gadget was functioning or not on Sunday. In fact, this isn’t the first story of a widespread obsession with witchcraft in Tanzania football.
Such beliefs have always been rife during the derby clash between Simba and Yanga matches. However, the subject of contention here is the shocking referee’s decision to demand to check the player’s underpants. It leaves a lot to be desired.
According to the laws of the game as provided for by the world soccer governing body, FIFA, on the authority of the referee, is that each match is controlled by a referee who has full authority to enforce the Laws of the Game in connection with the match to which he has been appointed.
On the safety of the player as provided for, according to law 4 on the players’ equipment– a player must not use equipment or wear anything that is dangerous to himself or another player (including any kind of jewellery). But such a thing does not necessarily mean that the referee is allowed to check the private parts of the player and worse enough in public.
The referee could have handled the matter properly and in accordance with the laws governing football. We have always said that the standard of refereeing in the top flight football is appalling as suggested by coaches and soccer fans.
These complaints have always cemented suggestions that corruption and bribe among match officials is rife. The problem might be philosophical at its core but a couple of referees have so far been axed from the list of Premier League referees or suspended while others have been warned following error-strewn performances.
The referees are expected to be unbiased arbiters but those involved in the game argue that this is not always the case as some of the officials at times have been found wanting while discharging their responsibilities.
To some, the situation is not solely incompetence, but deliberate act at ensuring that some teams win matches, as always suggested by local coaches and fans. Maybe, the fact that the local referees are paid less could be one of the reasons as to why the match officials perform below par.
It is well known that the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF), are responsible for the payment of the officials handling the league matches.
However, murmurs of disapproval are arising from various quarters that instead, it is clubs that are responsible for the payment of the officials handling their matches, the situation that particularly contribute to deterioration of officiating transparency in the league. Recently, the Football Referees Association of Tanzania (FRAT) clarified on salaries paid to a Premier League referee, saying each is paid 170,000/- per match.
The association revealed that 100,000/- is donated by the league sponsor, Vodacom Tanzania, while the remaining 70,000/- is paid by the TFF through gate proceeds. They are also given transport fares to and from match centres. FRAT suggested that the amount is still not enough especially for referees who do not have other jobs and are reliant on being a referee for income.
It is simple logic that teams can easily dish out money on top of regular fees to have the referee sway the match in their favour. However, it is also true that poverty can make financial inducement easy but still, the match officials have the duty to uphold ethical and moral principles.
They need to adhere to their professional code of conduct regardless of how much they get paid. There is also a need for the TFF to find more sponsors to ensure that referees are reasonably paid.
Above all, corrupt tendencies hamper the progress of sport as it goes against all principles of fair play. It is, therefore, important that a criminal investigation into these malpractices is urgently launched and those found guilty booked.
source:allafrica