The Rwanda Football Association (FERWAFA) has suspended centre referee Olivier Kwizera for five weeks and side referee Seraphin Mbonigena for four weeks for their errors in the Rwanda Premier League matchday five match, in which Bugesera FC lost 1-0 to AS Muhanga on Saturday.
The association’s Refereeing Committee found that Kwizera made two errors in the match, including failing to call off a foul by AS Muhanga goalkeeper Hategekimana Bonheur who crossed his line and grabbed the ball with both hands in the 20th minute.
This error is normally punished with a direct free kick and a red card, but nothing was done.
Another error was that in the 45th+1 minute, the ball hit the referee, resulting in a goal for AS Muhanga. This error was not called off.
In accordance with the rules, the commission suspended referee Olivier Kwizera for five weeks. This was the first time this man had refereed a match in the First Division.
Another suspended is line referee Mbonigena Seraphin for failing to assist the referee in determining whether the goalkeeper had handled the ball outside his area, which is within his responsibility, and was therefore suspended for four weeks.
These referees join Ishimwe Claude, known as Cucuri, who was suspended for two weeks, Mugabo Eric and Habumugisha Emmanuel, who were given a month’s suspension.
FERWAFA announced that it is revising its 2019 refereeing rules to keep them up to date.
It said it would also continue to strengthen integrity, enhance referees’ capabilities and comply with the rules and regulations governing refereeing.
