FAZ admits match fixing cries

MUKWIMA CHILALA writes
THE Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) says it has taken note of the numerous concerns raised about poor officiating of matches and has instituted investigations into the matter.
FAZ general secretary Adrian Kashala told the Sun in an interview that the association had instituted investigations into poor match officiating concerns for the sake of maintaining the good name and integrity of the sport.
Kashala said the association was not scared of being called names for the sake of returning the good name of the game.
He said that that FAZ had received numerous reports from clubs about poor match officiating by some referees in the various leagues though most of them have been through the media.
Kashala advised the clubs to follow laid down procedures of registering complaints rather than rush to the media.
He also cautioned club management, soccer fans and everyone involved in football administration to follow laid down procedures of expressing grievances regarding games.
“We have not officially received any complaints against poor match officiating from the clubs. We wish to reemphasise that there is a procedure which is supposed to be followed when making complaints to the Association,’’ said Kashala
“That does not mean that we are not aware of certain activities happening in our football, we know that some clubs are indulging themselves in illicit activities, underhand methods and even corruption to ensure that games go in their favour,” he said.
Kashala warned the Association would punish any clubs and officials found to be engaging in match fixing activities.
He said that FAZ had kept monitoring Clubs and would ensure that remedial measures are put in place but that it was not going to reveal what the Association. was doing to catch erring match officials and Clubs in order not to jeopardize its investigations.