EASTERN Region Division One gatecrashers, Yadah FC, are embroiled in controversy after match officials handling their previous two league games were manhandled for allegedly helping the Harare outfit undeservedly get maximum points.
 
The Harare-based Prophetic Healing and Deliverance side, a surprise inclusion in the Eastern Region Division One after their short stint in the Northern Region, are allegedly getting undue assistance from referees.
 
Match officials who handled the match between Yadah and FC Mutoko were manhandled after they allegedly helped the PHD-bankrolled to a 2-1 triumph over the Mutoko based team.
 
Yadah were also at the centre of biased officiating after officials who handled their game against Masvingo City Dortmund were assaulted for purportedly ensuring the church owned side won by a solitary goal.
 
Zimbabwe Referees Committee co-ordinator for the Zifa Eastern Region, Cainos Mavhuna, confirmed receiving complaints by opponents in matches involving Yadah.
 
“Yes, there have been complaints in matches that involved Yadah, in their matches against Mutoko and Masvingo City.
 
“The unfortunate thing is that we have not received anything in writing. Most of these complaints are being said verbally and some on the social media.
 
“We really cannot institute investigations on complaints made over social media or verbally,” said the Chiredzi-based referees’ co-ordinator.
 
He said workshops to address the deteriorating standards of match officiating have already been scheduled for the three affiliate provinces in Mutare (Manicaland), Masvingo (Masvingo) and Marondera (Mashonaland East).
 
“It is against this background that we will have workshops in the three affiliate provinces where we hope to address some of these complaints,” said Mavhuna.
 
Zifa Eastern Region chairman, Davison Muchena, concurred that there have been concerns of biased match officiating in his flagship league but he chose to be diplomatic by refusing to comment further and directing all questions to the referee’s committee.
 
“We are equally concerned with the standards of match officiating. However, talk to the relevant authorities in refereeing,” he said.