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officials from the lower leagues will have to wait a little longer after the meeting to review the fees ended in stalemate.
A top flight centre referee will now be earning US$120 for handling a match, up from US$100 while the two assistants will be paid US$100 each from US$80 they got in the previous season.
The match commissioner will also get US$120.
On top of the fees, the clubs also reimburse the match officials transport allowance and if a referee uses a car they repay the amount of fuel used plus 20 percent for wear and tear. However, there were no problems in reviewing the fees upwards for the Premiership referees as the league fathers and the Referees Committee agreed beforehand.
But it was not a similar tale with the referees handling lower regions matches after the meeting to negotiate new structure failed to yield anything. The matter has now been referred to the Zifa finance committee, which should come up with a decision on the fees structure.
The stalemate arose when Division One regions representatives negotiated for a reduction from last year’s fee of US$45 for the centre referee.
The clubs feel the amount is too step for them and had proposed to pay US$40 and US$35 respectively for the match officials.
However, the committee felt their referees needed a rise and were requesting for an increase of US$5 for the officials.
Division Two clubs, which were forking out US$22 and US$19 respectively, proposed that they pay US$20 for the centre referee and match commissioner and US$15 for the assistant referees.
Zimbabwe Referees Committee chief Kenny Marange said it was a sad development and led back to the drawing board.
“The clubs argued that a lot of teams have folded because of the economic climate and are struggling to stay afloat hence there is need to lessen the burden for them before more teams collapse.
“So there is need to strike a balance because as referees our survival also hinges on getting more appointments and this is achieved by many teams playing in these leagues.
“We understand the concerns of the clubs which are operating without sponsorship but we also take into cognisance the welfare of the referees.
“Zifa standing committee of finance will now handle the matter and decide.
“The Premiership did not even come to the meeting because they had already agreed with the committee so it was merely endorsing their figures.
PSL chief executive Kenny Ndebele said they had a fruitful meeting with the committee where they also discussed prompt submissions of the report.
“What happened last season is that we had agreed on US$120 with the referees but we then pleaded with them to allow us to pay US$100 but now we have reverted to last year’s resolution.
“We had a good meeting with the committee where we also discussed on prompt submissions of match reports and this can be done by engaging the services of a courier.
“We are looking forward to a professional working relationship with the referees. And along the way we should try to get sponsorship for referees. We appreciate that last year they were patient enough,” said Ndebele.
l Former CAPS United and Zimbabwe midfielder Stanford ‘Stix’ Mtizwa lost his mother on Sunday morning. Maria Mtizwa (80), nee Gwisiri, died at Parirenyatwa Hospital and mourners are gathered at number 100 Mhlanga Avenue in Mbare.