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 Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
FIFA have, for the second year running, snubbed Zimbabwean referees from the international referees list. According to the 2015 list of international match officials, no Zimbabwean referee was added to the already existing list of three male and two female referees while the list of assistant referees also has no new face.

There is still six male and two female assistant referees.

In a circular written by its deputy secretary general Markus Kattner to its 209 member associations, Fifa said the referees’ duties start on January 1 next year.

“We are pleased to inform you of the names of the referees, assistant referees, futsal referees and beach soccer referees approved by the Fifa Referees Committee for the 2015 international lists, please pass on our congratulations to the officials who have been selected,” said Fifa.

No reasons are given for any snub with the world soccer motherbody saying the referees’ committee’s decision is final.

Expectations were high that the likes of Tione Kacheche, Nduna Nkosana, Hardly Ndazi, Philani Ncube among other top referees would make it into the 2015 list. Bulawayo female assistant referee Faith Mloyi was also expected to grace the elite list.

Those already on the list are Thabani Bamala, Norman Matemera and Ruzive Ruzive (referees) while Abraham Manda, Bongani Gadzikwa, Tapfumaneyi Mutengwa, Salani Ncube, Edgar Rumeck and Alfred Zindove are assistant referees.

Rusina Majo and Bulawayo’s Tambudzai Tawengwa are the only two female referees on the list with another Bulawayo girl Rudo Nhananga and Sekai Simango being the assistant referees.

Female referees have, however, been given little action on the field with those lucky to be appointed being fourth officials only.

Corruption and favouritism has been the main reason why Zimbabwean referees are continously being ingnored for major international competitions like the World Cup and the African Nations Cup.

No Zimbabwean referee will be at the 2015 Nations Cup finals set for Equatorial Guinea.