SRFL, refs impasse ends

The Peter Mutharika Southern Region Football League (SRFL) has thrashed out a deal with boycotting Southern Region Referees Committee (SRRC), paving the way for resumption of games this weekend.

SRRC chairperson Alfred Chasowa confirmed on Wednesday the end of their three-week boycott over outstanding dues in excess of K500 000 (about $1 250).

“We do not want to be seen as sabotaging the league, let alone be linked to politics. We have accepted their request that they will be paying us per game for the remainder of the season. The acceptance is on condition that they pay the K500 000 before the start of next season and curb referees’ harassment, or else we will shun the games again,” Chasowa explained.

SRFL vice-general secretary Kingsley Simbeye confirmed that they reached the deal after meeting the referees at BAT ground on Wednesday.

“The biggest challenge is that most teams have not paid their affiliation fees in excess of K600 000 (about $1 500) and this has affected us. We understand the concerns of teams which are spending on training without playing games, so we expect to wind up the season,” he said.

Simbeye said they had since asked teams such as Evirom on what will become of their remaining two games, which the club wants to forfeit having sealed Super League promotion on 84 points. Chikhwawa United also said they would not fulfil their two games.

“The SRFL annual sponsorship is K5 million [about $12 500], but over K3 million [about $7 500] goes towards prizes with K1 million [about $2 500] for administration and it is not enough,” SRFL chairperson Trouble Kalua said last week.