ANOTHER TOP REF SUBSTITUTED

MANZINI – There is a concerning trend of referees struggling to complete matches, as highlighted during recent MTN Premier League fixtures. Just about a week ago, referee Sibonelo Mbuyisa experienced sudden respiratory distress. This rare incident occurred during week 14 of the MTN Premier League in a match between Green Mamba and Sisonkhe at the Mayaluka Stadium in Big Bend, last Sunday. In a heart-stopping moment, a source close to the incident revealed that Mbuyisa’s alarming symptoms manifested during a corner kick in the second half. As the game progressed, the centre referee reportedly complained of a racing heartbeat, indicating that something was amiss.

The gravity of the situation necessitated a swift substitution, with medical personnel intervening to attend to Mbuyisa’s condition. They rushed to his aid after urgent pleas for assistance, as he clutched his chest, signalling a potential heart-related issue. This unsettling turn of events brought the game to a temporary halt as officials focused on ensuring his safety and health.
A second reliable source speculated that the suffocating heat during the match, with temperatures reaching 35 degrees Celsius, might have contributed to the official’s distress. However, the source quickly reassured that Mbuyisa was recovering, with the situation resolved within an hour of the initial incident.

Incident

Another incident occurred this past Saturday at Mavuso Sports Centre during a match between Mbabane Swallows and Madlenya, where Swallows secured a 3-0 victory. International Federation of Association Football (FIFA)-accredited Celumusa Sphepho was the initial referee, but was substituted by Mciniseli Sithole. Sources close to the matter noted that Sphepho was feeling unwell and dizzy due to the scorching heat and was on the verge of collapsing. He promptly informed the match officials, necessitating his substitution for Sithole. He became a fourth official (reserve referee) during the second half.  When contacted for comment, Muzi Radebe, the Marketing and Communications Officer for the Eswatini Football

Association (EFA), stated that the trend of referees failing to finish a match is common, emphasising that if a referee’s condition does not permit them to continue, they must be substituted. Efforts to reach Sipho Kunene, Chairperson of the National Referees Committee, proved futile, as he referred the media to EFA Communications. In last week’s statement, he noted that they were yet to receive full details of the matter. The increasing trend of referees being substituted due to health concerns is a significant issue in professional sports, impacting the quality of officiating. For instance, during the 2022 FIFA World Cup, several referees faced health-related issues that led to substitutions, raising concerns about the consistency of officiating in high-stakes matches.

Professionals

Top-division referees, such as those in the English Premier League, are highly trained professionals who understand the intricacies of the game; when a referee is substituted mid-match, the replacement may lack the same familiarity with the specific dynamics of that game, potentially leading to inconsistencies in decision-making. The physical and mental demands placed on referees are substantial, requiring peak fitness and quick, accurate judgement under pressure. The case of Mark Clattenburg, a renowned Premier League referee who retired early citing the toll of the job on his health, exemplifies the challenges referees face. This trend of health-related substitutions not only suggests that the workload may be unsustainable, but also indicates a growing concern for the overall well-being of officials.

Experienced

Moreover, the potential shortage of experienced referees could become a pressing issue if this trend continues. Referees like Antonio Mateu Lahoz, who officiated the controversial quarter-final match between Argentina and the Netherlands in the 2022 World Cup, highlight the importance of experience in maintaining game integrity. A decline in the availability of top-level referees would ultimately affect the quality of officiating, leading to increased scrutiny and debate among players, coaches and fans. Experts feel this situation underscores the urgent need for improved support systems for referees. Initiatives such as regular health check-ups, mental health resources and a rotational system to prevent burnout could significantly mitigate these issues.

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