Refs want Silver coach disciplined
National Football Referees Association (NFRA) wants Super League of Malawi (Sulom) to discipline Silver Strikers’ expatriate coach Pieter de Jongh for allegedly bringing football into disrepute.
NFRA general secretary Chris Kalichero in an interview said the coach, who has so far been cautioned five times for protesting against referees’ decisions during TNM Super League matches, is “undermining the match officials’ authority”.
The referees’ body’s stance comes after the coach accused referees of poor officiation in four consecutive matches, resulting in five yellow cards and a red.
On Sunday, referee David Chinoko showed the coach a second yellow during Silver’s 3-1 victory over Ekwendeni Hammers at Mzuzu Stadium for protesting the referees’ decisions.
But De Jongh’s poor relationship with referees started during his team’s 2023 TNM Super League season against FCB Nyasa Bullets at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe when Godfrey Nkhakananga showed him a yellow card.
Alfred Chilinda then showed De Jongh the second yellow card for protesting the referee’s decisions in the second match against Blue Eagles at Nankhaka Stadium in Lilongwe.
In week three, referees Chidziwitso Simbi also cautioned the coach in the Bankers’ third match against Red Lions at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.
Kalichero said the coach’s attacks on referees during matches were unacceptable.
He said: “We have some of the best referees in the region. These are Fifa referees who have been assigned some high profile matches on the continent.
“We are talking of Fifa referees such as Nkhakananaga, Chilinda, Simbi and Clemence Kanduku who have attended some top-level refereeing courses organised by CAF [Confederation of African Football] and Fifa.
“For the coach to continuously question these referees’ decisions is unfortunate. We, therefore, call for Sulom, who are the organiser of the competitions, to take action.”
Kalichero said as professionals, the referees will continue to do their job while following the Laws of the Game.
He said: “As referees, we know our job. No one will influence us how to do our job. We always follow the Laws of the Game. Let the coach do his job and stop fighting referees.”
However, De Jongh in an interview maintained his innocence, saying he has not broken any law.
He said: “In the first-half [against Ekwendeni], I asked why there was no added-on time which they did not add. I asked a normal question.
“In the second-half, all I said is that it was off side that’s when I was given a second yellow card.”
Besides De Jongh, Mighty Mukuru Wanderers coach Mark Harrison, another expatriate, also complained of officiation during the Nomads’ match against Mighty Wakawaka Tigers which ended one-all.
The Nomads were the first to score through a Stanley Sanudi penalty in the 64th minute before Tigers equalised four minutes later also from the spot through Precious Chiudza.
Harrison said after the match: “It was never a penalty because that player dived. But the referee [Mwambyale Michael] went on and gave a penalty.”
Sulom general secretary Williams Banda said they will wait for the referees’ body to write them on the matter.
He said: “We will take action after we receive the official complaint from the NFRA. Right now they are yet to do that.”
But Cosafa and Fifa referees technical instructor Michael Makoto said Sulom has its code of ethics which it can use to discipline coaches without waiting for a report. He said: “We always deal with team officials who do not behave in a responsible manner using the Laws of the Game. But it’s also high time Sulom should do something about this coach.”
