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Fifa secretary-general Fatma Samoura

Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE risks not having referees on the prestigious Fifa panel next year unless Zifa appoints a referees committee and organises a Fifa approved fitness and medical test by early October.

The deadline for nominating candidates for the panel is October 2, according to a communiqué issued by Fifa secretary-general Fatma Samoura to member associations.

Zifa has not had a referees’ committee since the new administration disbanded all previous committees, saying they wanted new brooms.

In the communiqué, Fifa said all nominated referees ought to have attended and passed a Fifa approved fitness and medical test on or after June 2, but before the close of nominations date of October 2.

The last such test, which was actually physical, was held in April.

Zimbabwe has 17 international referees made up of nine male referees (three referees and six assistants), six female referees (three referees and an equal number of assistants), as well as two Futsal referees.

“When nominating a candidate, the member associations shall observe specific conditions. Referring to your question please read page 2, criteria 7,” said a Fifa spokesperson, when contacted for a comment yesterday on whether those referees already on the panel were affected by the requirements.

Criteria 7 reads: “The proposed referees shall have passed the appropriate Fifa fitness test related to the list they belong to within the four months prior to the deadline for nomination for the lists of international referees and assistant referees.

They shall also have passed a medical examination certifying that they are fit to act as referees within the four months prior to the deadline for nomination for the lists of international referees.

Fifa reserves the right to require referees over the age of 45 to undergo additional technical assessments as well as specific medical examinations and fitness testing on a case-by-case basis.”

Zimbabwe list of Fifa panel referees

Men

Referees: Norman Matemera, Nomore Musundire, Pilan Ncube

Assistants: Thomas Kusosa, Luckson Mhara, Wirimai Muroiwa, Salani Ncube, Brighton Nyika, Edgar Rumeck

Women

Referees: Rusina Majo, Thanks Nyahuye, Tambudzai Tavengwa

Assistants: Faith Mloyi, Stella Ruvinga, Sekai Simango

Futsal: Allen Bhasvi, Lawrence Zimondi — @skhumoyo2000.