Malawi’s football association preaches unity among referees
Football Association of Malawi (FAM) chief executive officer Suzgo Nyirenda took advantage of the closing ceremony of the week-long Fifa/Caf Member Associations Elite Referees Course on Friday to preach love and unity among the referees.
Thirty-five referees passed the course that was facilitated by Fifa referees development officer for southern and eastern Africa Carlos Henriques. Nyirenda urged referees to refrain from backbiting and hatred.
“I have been in sports administration for six years and I have experienced a lot of bickering among you [referees]. If your friend makes a mistake, don’t tell others, but approach them and offer a helping hand.
“If you come to my office and tell me about the mistake your friend made when officiating a game, you only tarnish the image of your trade. This disease has to be dealt with immediately,†said Nyirenda before the referees received their certificates.
He also appealed to the referees to implement what they had learnt.
Henriques complemented Nyirenda’s remarks, urging the referees to start performing better and concentrate on their work, rather than getting involved in match-fixing scandals.
National Referees Committee (NRC)) chairperson Patrick Kapanga said it is time referees preached unity.
“It was good for the FAM CEO to say these words because it will help to instill the spirit of love in referees. However, I should say that backbiting is rampant in every organisation and it is not easy to control it,†said Kapanga.
