Officiation controversy spoils CRFA Presidential match
Central Region Football Association (CRFA) has withheld results of their last-16 encounter of the Presidential Cup qualifiers between Kasungu Police and Lilongwe Airbase due to a fracas that erupted following officiation controversy at Kasungu Community ground.
According to CRFA competitions manager Anthony Manda, the game ended in the 65th minute after Airbase protested the referee’s decision to award a penalty to the hosts after a Kasungu Police player was fouled in the box despite initially indicating an indirect free-kick. Then, Airbase was leading 1-0.
“The referee Moses Mithi blew the whistle for an indirect free-kick and some seconds later changed his decision for a spot-kick. This infuriated the visiting team, who decided not to continue playing after the referee stood his ground,” Manda said.
He said the CRFA has since summoned the two teams and the referee to a disciplinary hearing tomorrow at Civo Club House in Lilongwe. He, however, said they would refer the case to the Central Region Referees Association (CRRA) if the referee is found to be guilty.
“Those found to be on the wrong side of the law will be severely punished for putting the game of football into disrepute. Nevertheless, for the referee, his case has been referred to the referees’ body because he is not within our jurisdiction,” he said.
In other last-16 games of the CRFA Presidential Cup qualifiers, Civo United Youth thrashed Kamuzu Barracks Youth 5-2. Master Security Services beat Warm Heart Bullets 4-2 on post-match penalties while Lilongwe Veterans saw off Ossa Stars 1-0. n
