ZIFA Suspends Referees After Poor Performances in Premier League Matches

Zimbabwe football bosses kicked out three more referees after terrible performances during recent matches. The Zimbabwe Football Association hammered center referees Lloyd Mapanje and Grace Gimo along with assistant referee Claris Simango for failing basic standards. These officials join four other referees who got the boot last month when Owen Manenda, Lawrence Zimondi, Nelson Meke, and Tichaona Mbire faced similar punishment. Match commissioners watched these referees blow calls and make poor decisions during important Premier League games. The association decided enough was enough and banned all three from working upcoming fixtures.

Lloyd Mapanje cannot referee Premier League matches from matchday 17 through matchday 20 after his awful showing during the Dynamos versus Yadah game at Rufaro Stadium on June 19. Grace Gimo faces a similar fate and must sit out matchdays 16 through 19 following her disastrous performance when Green Fuel played TelOne at Green Fuel Arena on June 14. Claris Simango also gets banned from matchdays 17 through 20 after her poor work as assistant referee during that same Dynamos versus Yadah contest. The match commissioner filed reports stating all three officials performed far below acceptable levels. Zimbabwe football officials want to clean house and restore credibility to their league competitions.