Zanaco Football Club defender Fredrick Mwimanzi has opened up about what transpired between him and Lusaka-based center referee Francis Sichali that led to him getting a red card in a Week 32 MTN Super League encounter on Tuesday.
The nine-man Zanaco squad succumbed to a 2-0 defeat against Napsa Stars at the REIZ Arena in Lusaka. The bankers were reduced to 10 when Captain Harrison Chisala conceded a penalty in the 44th minute. He was given a direct red card, which sparked protests from the Zanaco players and the technical bench.
Napsa Stars converted the resultant penalty, taking a 1-0 lead at the break. After the break, Zanaco conceded another goal as Austin Banda doubled the lead for the hosts in the 46th minute.
In the 58th minute, defender Mwimanzi was sent off after receiving two yellow cards within three minutes for questioning the referee’s decision.
Referee used insulting language – Mwimanzi
In an interview, Mwimanzi wondered why he was cautioned for simply questioning the centre referee on some decisions made in the game.
He narrated that after that question, the referee used vulgar language that resulted in a heated exchange.
“I understand the rules that were introduced by FIFA, as we were made aware by the referees, regarding who is responsible to talk to the referee when the captain is the goalkeeper,” he said.
“I was nominated as the infield representative since our captain, after the red card was shown to Chisala, was Siame, the goalkeeper. I approached the referee to find out why he was overlooking some of the hard challenges from Napsa Stars, but was quick to call ours.
“It was after I questioned him about that when he responded, ‘Fuma apa teine wiso’ (Get out from here; I’m not your father). Now I am wondering if referees are immune to punishment for using such disrespectful language; if I were the one who told a fellow player, I would have been sent.”
Mwimanzi maintains he respects the referees in the league, but the behaviour exhibited by the official on Tuesday doesn’t reflect the values of the game.
“I’m a disciplined player, but the conduct of the referee did not show respect for the sport of football. How can someone just start insulting my father from nowhere?” he wondered.
“It’s disappointing to see this kind of behaviour from the men who are in charge of maintaining discipline in the game. Just from those words he said to me, I wondered if the referees are here to help build a professional image of our sport.”
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