Refereeing Challenges in Tanzania Premier League: Stakeholders Respond

Stakeholders Discuss Referee Errors in Tanzania Premier League

Various football stakeholders in Tanzania have voiced differing opinions regarding the persistent referee errors in the Premier League. Some advocate for the establishment of a company to oversee referees, while others argue that such a move would not resolve the issue, citing the continuing mistakes in Europe.

The debate took place during a discussion on Mwananchi X Space, titled "Referee Mistakes in the Mainland Premier League: What Needs to Be Done?" Key figures from both current and past football leadership, along with other stakeholders, shared their views on the matter.

A Call for Independent Referee Oversight

Hassan Macho, a former football leader from Njombe Mji, suggested that it is time to place referees under a dedicated company. This would allow for accountability when referees make errors. "Instead of relying on committees with ties to the sport, it would be more effective to have a company that is held responsible for these mistakes," said Macho.

He further explained that lower-tier leagues, such as the first and second divisions, tend to have more consistent and impartial refereeing, which fosters confidence in the decisions, even when mistakes occur. "In contrast, the influence of certain stakeholders on referees often leads to controversial decisions at the top level," he added.

Challenges in Referee Training and Selection

Almasi Kasongo, the CEO of the Tanzania Premier League Board (TPLB), acknowledged the criticism of relying on the current referee committees, which, according to him, are flawed compared to the systems in advanced football nations. "In Europe, referees are managed by dedicated companies, but even there, mistakes still happen regularly," he remarked. He also noted that while significant progress has been made in the recruitment of referees, the local system still falls short. "We still depend on associations and committees, and our referees often receive only five to seven days of training before officiating in top-tier matches," Kasongo explained.

This lack of preparation, he added, leads to a situation where referees who start in lower leagues eventually end up officiating in the Premier League without the necessary training and experience.

The Technology Dilemma

Kasongo highlighted that studies show an average of seven errors occur during each 90-minute match, which can benefit one team while disadvantaging another. He emphasized that, globally, the reliance on human judgment has led many countries to adopt technology to reduce errors. "While technology, such as VAR, has greatly improved officiating in many countries, we still face significant challenges in Tanzania, where human judgment is the norm," Kasongo said.

He pointed out that while technology has drastically reduced mistakes in advanced leagues, the absence of technological assistance in Tanzania remains a significant hurdle. "Without the tools to assist referees, mistakes continue to be a major issue," he added.

Support and Ongoing Education for Referees

Former TFF Secretary General, Selestine Mwesigwa, acknowledged that referees sometimes make mistakes, but emphasized the need for continuous support and education to improve their performance. "The challenge with referees lies in their limited training and low efficiency, which contributes to disciplinary errors," said Mwesigwa. He suggested that referees should receive ongoing education to address these issues. "Football refereeing is not something you can just jump into; it requires proper training and understanding," he added.

Mwesigwa also pointed out that other leagues, such as those in Europe, have systems in place to reduce mistakes by demoting referees who perform poorly. However, he cautioned that even with continuous education, mistakes are inevitable, but proper disciplinary procedures should be in place.

The Leadership and Governance Issue

Angetile Osiah, another former TFF Secretary General, attributed the persistent issues with refereeing to weak governance and a lack of independence in the country's football leadership. "There is no body responsible for overseeing refereeing decisions, and this lack of accountability has created a significant problem," Osiah said. He suggested that football officials must take responsibility for mistakes and that the sport in Tanzania suffers from poor leadership and lack of independence for referees.

The VAR Debate: Cost vs. Effectiveness

Azim Dewji, a prominent businessman and football enthusiast, argued that the use of VAR technology in Tanzania would be too costly and unnecessary. "Rather than investing in expensive VAR systems, we should use television replays to review mistakes and allow referees to correct their decisions on the spot," Dewji said. He recalled a memorable incident in 2011 during a Simba vs. Yanga match at the National Stadium, when a goal initially disallowed by referee Oden Mbaga was later validated after a TV replay showed the ball had crossed the line.

The Influence of Fan Rivalry on Refereeing Decisions

Deo Mruah, a football stakeholder, noted that the pressure from fan rivalry often influences referees' decisions. "Fans focus more on what benefits their teams rather than understanding the technical aspects of the game," Mruah said. He emphasized the need to reduce fan influence on the officiating process to improve fairness. "We must ensure that referees focus on professionalism, not bias," he added.

Cae Jay, another stakeholder, suggested that referees be given specialized seminars to help them differentiate between personal bias and professionalism when officiating matches. "Whether you're a fan of Simba or Yanga, you must approach every match with professionalism," he said. He also called for a more equitable approach to the league, where all teams, not just the top clubs, are treated fairly.

Pressures from Media and Fans

Several journalists, including Mustapa Mtupa and Devota Kihwelo, also participated in the discussion, urging for more frequent referee training and a quicker introduction of VAR to reduce errors.

In conclusion, the debate highlighted that while various solutions have been proposed, including better training, technological assistance, and changes in governance, the persistent issue of referee errors remains a significant challenge for Tanzanian football.