By Caesar Abangirah
Soccer: Three match officials who handled a Uganda Premier League game between Express and Vipers on Wednesday have been banned – with immediate effect – for poor officiation.
The decision to ban centre referee Ronald Kirangwa together with assistant referees Lydia Nantabo Wanyama and Samuel Kakembo follows Tito Okello’s controversial leveler for Vipers in the 83rd minute.
Replays show that Okello, a second half substitute, was miles offside before he received the ball to score.
The goal pushed Vipers to second of the UPL table and helped the Kitende side keep their unbeaten run thus far this season.
“This is to notify all stakeholders that, upon the advice of the Referees Disciplinary Panel and the Fufa Referees Standing Committee, Fufa has banned three officials of match number 54 of the StarTimes Uganda Premier League played on Wednesday November 7, 2018 at Muteesa II Stadium – Wankulukuku for poor officiation,” a memo from Fufa reads in part.
“They have been forwarded to FUFA Committee for Match Integrity for further investigation and decision.”
According to Fufa publicist, Ahmed Hussein, the officials ‘poorly applied Fifa laws of the game’.
Kakembo, who has been hit the hardest, has been banned from performing refereeing services of all Fufa organised and sanctioned competitions for a period of five years.
Kirangwa received a three year ban while Nantabo will not officiate at any Fufa organised and sanctioned competitions for a period of 60 days.
“However, they have a chance to appeal the decision,” Hussein said.
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