By Sheldon Hakata

REFEREES in Zimbabwe, and indeed across the world, have often been treated as untouchables.
In Zimbabwe, many complaints have been made against Premiership Soccer League (PSL) officials, but these have fallen on deaf ears.
A referee supervises the game, ensures safety of players and fans alike, based on his/her observations and also determining what is fair and what is not.
Spectators, players and coaches all start to assume the role of experts in the heat and at the height of a game.
There comes a debate of good, clean calls versus bad ones by match officials.
There have been numerous, unexpected alarming calls made in soccer, all with a potential to incite violence.
However, with instant replay, most fans notice instantly when a suspect call is made, one which an experienced official could not deal with years ago.
Soccer officials — both line umpires and infield officials — sometimes make terrible calls.
However, it is difficult to imagine that a sport so old and filled with tradition can be marred by such bad officiating.
So, one wonders how match officials make glaring mistakes, bringing the whole process into disrepute.
Soccer is a game that requires sane calls.
When officials make such mistakes, it is always the talking point.
Soccer is a sport that has been doing so badly on its judgment, especially in Zimbabwe so far.
Some people go to the extent of thinking it is match-fixing.
Whether the games are fixed or not, the referees are terrible.
At least officials are held somewhat responsible in this worst officiated sport in the world.
The referees do not even have to own up to their mistakes.
Much should be done to improve the officiating of soccer matches.
Until that day, the football body will continue to own the worst officiating systems in soccer and will continue to aggravate fans.
Some leagues even take videos of all their matches for training purposes, hence have enough documented evidence to prove that the referees made too many bad calls.
A few bad calls may be forgiven though.
Referees have unfettered powers during matches and they abuse these to push their own personal agendas.
Remember FIFA banned referee Joseph Odartei Lamptey of Ghana for influencing a result of a World Cup qualifying match.
Lamptey ruled a handball on Senegal’s Kalidou Koulibaly, even though the ball clearly hit the Koulibaly’s leg.
South Africa scored and won 2-1.
The current Zimbabwean Referee-of-the-Year, Ruzive Ruzive, was also fired from the COSAFA tournament due to poor officiating.
More recently, the referee at Rufaro Stadium in a match pitting Dynamos and Black Rhinos showed very poor judgment and lack of fairness.
Black Rhinos were cheated.
Absolutely shocking!
Video evidence showed that Dynamos’ Marshal Machazane used his hands to guide an Emmanuel Mandiranga corner kick past Black Rhinos goalkeeper Ashley Rayners.
Harare-based referee Josiah Masimira apparently ‘failed’ to spot the deliberate handball by the Dynamos captain Machazane.
Dynamos won a corner kick that was swung in by substitute Mandiranga with the teams level at one-all deep in stoppage time.
Machazane used both hands to bundle the ball home past Black Rhinos goalkeeper Rayners, handing Dynamos the controversial win.
Black Rhinos had done well to get back into the game after defender Tapiwa Sibanda’s free kick, nine minutes from time, cancelled out Valentine Kadonzvo’s first-half strike.
It was a surprise to most people who watched the game at Rufaro Stadium that Masimira failed to spot the handball and allowed the goal to stand.
No doubt, the match officials were biased.
There were a number of suspicious calls against Black Rhinos throughout the game.
Conspiracy theories that claim Dynamos receive favours when facing relegation are easily fuelled by such actions.
This reduces the top flight league into a mockery while at the same time tarnishing the image of sponsors.
Near side assistant Bongani Gadzikwa also failed to signal for the handball in a total injustice to the army side and the sport as well.
In 2015, the same Bongani Gadzika made a surprise off-side call, robbing Highlanders of what would have been their equaliser against Dynamos.
The goal could have taken the match to a 3-3 stalemate with a few minutes remaining before the final whistle.
Gadzika was suspended following this poor decision that denied Highlanders a legitimate goal.
Referee Norman Matemera had indicated for a goal but Gadzikwa flagged for offside although television replays showed otherwise.
It is our understanding that the rot is even worse in Division One and lower leagues where action takes place before smaller crowds.
Football is by nature an emotional game and such silly mistakes are likely to ignite violence.
This might further cause damage to property or lead to loss of life.
Usually, referees are demoted if they make bad calls, so we wait to see how Masimira and crew will be dealt with.
Yes Dynamos is a big brand, but let them fight their own battles.
Chibuku Super Cup 2018 semi-finals fixtures.
Saturday
Harare City vs CAPS United – Rufaro Stadium
Sunday
Dynamos vs Triangle – Rufaro Stadium.
All matches kick off at 3pm.