In the just ended 2023-2024 BPL season, the match officials were at the end of attacks by club officials and players alike during the league games. The standard of the match officials in the country is said to have reached the rock bottom as per comments made by coaches and club officials. In one of the incidents, Jwaneng Galaxy's head coach, Morena Ramoreboli, directed insults towards the match officials following his side 0-0 draw in game played at Lobatse Sports Complex in May.
On the same afternoon, the BDF XI’s gaffer, Louis Setshwane, had to be held back by the security personnel after he showed his displeasure on the match officiating during his team’s 4-1 loss to Township Rollers in a game played at the Royal Aria Stadium. The match officials have further been accused of taking bribes as per a report by this publication in April, citing a First Division South league tie between Extension Gunners and then relegation threatened Notwane. The BFL chief executive officer, Bennett Mamelodi, confirmed that the BFL has received a number of complaints from clubs on match officials and has since opened investigations. Mamelodi was speaking in a all round interview with newly established MmegiOnline TV show, Sport On last week.
“The referees are very very important in our football and without quality and consistent referees, our football will not grow. We have received reports and we have since opened investigations on certain allegations that were brought before us. Secondly, we plan to formally formulate a league panel of well trained referees who would have taken the responsibility to officiate the league,” said Mamelodi.
He further highlighted the referees' low wages as a possible cause of the matters as he said ahead of the next campaign, the BFL will be looking to improve the wages and welfare of match officials in effort to curb the problem. “It terms of standards, I would say our referees are not well paid and it has been a period now that their wages have not been increased and that is why one of the intentions is to improve their pay and their whole welfare,” said Mamelodi. Over 10 match officials have been suspended by the Botswana Football Association and CAF in the last two seasons for various reasons. The list includes former local top referee, Joshua Bondo who has since retired.
