Football Referees Receive Over 100% Pay Hike
The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) has hiked the match fees for Castle Lager Premier Soccer League officials by more than 100 per cent with effect from October 1, 2019.
ZIFA chief executive officer Joseph Mamutse wrote a letter to PSL CEO Kennedy Ndebele, informing him of the new changes.
As a result, a centre official and match commissioner will both get $700, up from $270 for a match while assistant referees and fourth officials will get $600, up from $240.
Speaking about the development, Zimbabwe Referees’ Committee chairman, Bryton Malandule said:
The circular states that the changes are with effect from September 1 but let me hasten to say that this was the initial plan.
But due to delays in implementing this, the changes will now be effective from next month.
These increases were brought about by the need to cushion our referees against the ever-increasing costs like inflation as well as other vices.
By way of comparison, in South Africa, a referee gets a flat monthly fee of R5 000, while match fees are set at R6 000.