By Rex Mphisa
THE Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) has announced astronomic match fees, higher even than affliation, and will see the Central Region clubs fork out a whooping $135 000 to match officials.
This comes at a time when football followers expected the mother body to pay match officials to avoid corruption and match fixing.
Each club in the 18-club Central Region will for its home games pay $7 480 while clubs will collectively pay officials $134 640 in the newly announced fees.
In its fees structures announced on Monday referees will earn $100, their assistants $80 each, the match commisioner $100 fourth official $80.
The referees will also smile to the bank on transport fees after Zifa said for assignments within a 40 km radius, referees shall be refunded public transport used.
But for 41 km and above, referees shall be paid vehicle mileage refunds in line with the approved ZIFA mileage framework, Zifa said.
While officials, some who dont even own cars, will smile all the way to the banks, players are likely the losers as most clubs rely on gate takings to sustain themselves.
Many teams are unlikely to meet the demand and might fold midway.
More to follow….