Rugby has 12 referees but two have decided to stay away due to what they term as constant abuse.
But referees manager, Aleck Maphosa told Mmegi Sport that he would not comment about referees who have decided to stay away as it was their personal choice. “It is only natural that matters come to a head as referees are always the target of abuse from coaches and spectators either directly on the field or via social media platforms,” he said. Maphosa said the season is not yet over with four weeks left.
He said what was concluded was the regular men’s 15s, 10s for men and women as well as Sevens. He said the next activity is the Knockout Cup, meaning officials' full involvement is still required. Allegations are rife that some officials within the rugby circles gave visiting Rugby Africa officials wrong information about referees' training.
The officials were in the country to conduct a high-level coaching course for Sevens level two and match officials level two and first aid in rugby. This publication is informed that the officials were informed that local referees went for training in Morocco and while others went to Namibia, which the source said was false.
Maphosa said the Botswana Rugby Union (BRU) office was better placed to respond to the accusations. “On a personal front, I am hearing that from you,” Maphosa said. BRU development manager, Zilwele Khumalo said they have received an email from the referees’ manager and the technical committee and they will have an emergency meeting to address the issues raised.
He confirmed that the contents of the email include abuse of referees’ claims. He said the email has been sent to the BRU executive board as well. Regarding the referees' welfare, Khumalo said the referees’ allowances are always paid at the end of the season. “Games ended last weekend. I received the official list on Tuesday to process the payments,” he said.
Khumalo played it safe saying he was not aware of anyone that was sent to Namibia or Morocco for training. One of the referees said the abuse is an "abnormality that has been normalised." “It is not normal for people to take advantage of us for not being able to talk but rather taking the high road because we understand how fragile their egos are and how they cannot take their own medicine,” one of the affected referees said.
The official said maybe one time when a coach accuses them of failing to officiate, they should respond by telling them they are bad coaches. “You do not know how to ref. Yes, and you are a bad coach.
That small interaction will result in chaos and will be detrimental to the game so it goes on and on and people have normalised something that is not normal,” the referee added.
