Another suspension looms
A season of suspensions at Botswana Football Association (BFA) appears to be in its full throttle as another suspension is reportedly imminent, BG Sport has gathered.
In the latest episode of suspension ‘series’, BG Sport has been reliably informed that one top referee at BFA, (name withheld), is allegedly to be served with a suspension following alleged accusations of financial embezzlement and gross misconduct.
He has been allegedly charging Botswana Football League for his travels and accommodation when attending matches despite being the employee of the BFA. According to a close source from the BFL corridors, their investigations picked that he has been doing this act for over a period of two seasons.
“He has a salary at BFA, he was not supposed to charge the BFL for his services; getting P800 plus fuel allowances is more than most referees, in fact. His name was on the spread sheet and this was previously missed by the BFL bosses while the current CEO, Senzo Mbatha recently picked on it,” BG Sport informant shared.
“During an emergency committee meeting two months back, the matter was presented and alongside others like his decision to rescind a red card of one player,” the source further claimed.
Other alleged concerns regarding the referee include calling up one prominent official to a course recently, despite the latter serving CAF and BFA suspensions.
Despite the reports suggesting that the referee has already been asked to show course why he should not be suspended, officials close to the accused claim not to be aware of any developments of misconduct surrounding the official.
Chief Executive Officer at BFA, Mfolo Edwin Mfolo, has however denied knowledge of any case presented before his office regarding the conduct of the said individual.
“We are not aware of it, I haven’t heard anything on that matter so I really don’t know,” Mfolo responded.
This publication is however informed that a move to suspend the BFA official is likely to happen before the end of the week.
BG Sport has it on good authority that the issue was brought before the BFL board of directors on the 16th of August 2023, where it was requested that it be resolved before the Annual General Meeting of the top tier league.
The Botswana Football League AGM is slated for this weekend.