Namibian referees fail Fifa tests

THREE top Namibian referees and two assistants have been suspended by Fifa after failing a fitness test recently.

Well-known referees Arvo Mufeti, Matthew Katjimune and Alex Tiyeho all failed fitness tests in a recently concluded Fifa referees’ course and have been on the sidelines for a few weeks now.
The two assistant referees who failed are Erastus Shilunga and Sacheus Kweyo.
They will not be allowed to officiate matches under Fifa, the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Cosafa and the domestic premiership.
In a letter addressed to Namibia Football Association president John Muinjo by his chief executive Barry Rukoro, it is stated that the match officials did not make the grade during the course.
Rukoro states that the men in black failed fitness tests conducted by Felix Tangawarima and Carlos Fernades from the Fifa Development Office.
‘The referees have all received letters informing [them to refrain] from handling any football matches until such time that they have taken and passed a fitness test,¨ said Rukoro.
Chief of Referees Boy Boy Ndjadila confirmed the suspension of his men, saying that Fifa does not care if you are a top referee or not.
‘If you fail a test, you failed, your name or standing in the game will not protect you. They just have to do the test again and pass,’ he said.
He said Fifa will let them know in about a week’s time when they can re-test the officials.
The suspended officials failed to clock the required times when running a specific course.
corry@namibian.com.na