By Howard Masaninga
The beauty of football is its universality and it cuts across all boundaries, age, culture, religion, colour and gender. The rules and regulations too, bring unity of purpose among all people.
Everybody who cares to follow the game, has the liberty to make their own judgements pertaining to performances, results and eventual officiating.
The independence embodied in the officials in decision making, makes it what it is because out of all the billions of followers it has been proved that they can only talk but cannot change anything.
In all fairness, the officials’ decisions should just remain guided by the rules and regulations and nothing else. However, in some cases it depends on their moods on the day or their previous records when it’s the same teams meeting again.
The worst case scenario is where and when club officials influence the outcome of the game by making certain decisions. It does not just end there, but also when individual players themselves get involved. Like the case of match fixing.
This is very complex to prove but the tale tells can easily be detected on the field of play. Just like what happens with athletes who administer additives to enhance their performances.
With football, it starts with the coach when he chooses to field a weaker or an unfamiliar squad on the match day.
In some cases it becomes so glaring that the result is almost obvious even before the match ends.
The issue of technical effects apparently becomes significant. While it takes away the anxiety, it becomes a necessary disruption. In Europe already VAR has become a necessity in decision making. Of course it is not the best solution but improvements have been recorded in making the game a bit more fair.
One can still compare how it’s being applied in the English Premier League and Spain.
Personally, I would go for the Spanish one because I feel it’s more technical than it is in England where the element of human influence is still a cause for concern.
Like it or not, this brings me back home to the match played between Kwekwe United and Dynamos in Gweru a fortnight ago. The match was critical for both teams as they all targeted the three crucial points as they were sitting in precarious positions on the log table.
DeMbare eventually won the match convincingly with a 0-3 score line albeit allegations of United having fielded a weaker squad.
Suddenly, this was talk of the town. The major talking point was that, United coach Masimba Dinyero was accused of wrong doing, him being a loyal son of DeMbare as a former player.
While this discussion has a potential to ruin many relations from family, friends, workplace, politics and the game itself, it is imperative for the Premier Soccer League (PSL) to effect an inquiry into the matter to establish facts.
I know that PSL may not want to be put on the pedestal particularly, where such issues involve a big team like Dynamos.
Going by what has made big leagues famous, it is such competence which brought about credit and huge financial support. But for the local game, shying away for such crucial decisions continues to demean the game and its management.
Taking necessary decisions at the appropriate time irrespective of who is involved, can only make the league more exciting and rewarding. In this particular instance, the video footages for the match are there. Team cards for the past three to four matches are there to inform the inquiry on the claims.
Unfortunately, like I highlighted earlier, the lack of political will to drag the so called BIG teams for arbittration has remained the PSL’s biggest weakness.
And not that alone, even when there is abandonment of matches where these teams are involved, the PSL choose to take as long as it suits them to settle the matter and of course in favour if their preferred team.
This has had ripple effects on the league’s reputation and its fundraising efforts.
The big question now is, “Who dares DeMbare? Yes, these accusations can easily be dismissed as cheap talk, but is it? Unless and until they are put to test, it can never be conclusively closed as cheap talk.
The pointers are there and footages too. The authorities have to now demonstrate the will to safeguard the game.
Yes, the PSL may argue that, either United or any other have not complained about the match, so what’s the fuss.
It is within it’s jurisdiction to also carry out spot checks where they can suspect wrong doing. Like in this case, where it was an open letter to everyone that DeMbare desperately needed the three points, again versus a team coached by its former player. The writing was on the wall.
The beauty of the game can never be enjoyed under such circumstances. The moment suspicions of match fixing crop up, the stink should not just be wished away. Football is all about fair play and not such shameless and covert acts.!
