African clubs embrace CAF refereeing reform

KAMPALA, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is going to start paying referees directly for designated CAF matches on the continent. This has been welcomed by two top Ugandan premier league teams.

In the past, hosting teams and associations paid the match officials. The decision to reform the referee payment system was taken at a CAF executive committee meeting held in Casablanca, Morocco on Wednesday. The meeting was chaired by the president of CAF, Ahmad Ahmad.

"The decision reduces the financial burden on national associations and also eliminates an ethical challenge because it removes the suspicion perceived between national associations and the referees," said CAF

Aggrey Asaba, Chairman of Uganda Premier League champions KCCA FC, was pleased with the news. "We spend a lot of money catering for the match officials who handled our matches in the CAF Champions league and CAF Confederations match last year. That is a big relief," he added.

Club President of Sports Club Villa, Emmanuel Misagga was also happy to get the news. He told Xinhua that this development will stop hosting teams from being too close to match officials.

"There are teams that have been giving referees very good treatment when they host games and this could influence what happens on the pitch sometimes. But with this development we are now happy CAF will cater for match officials," he added.

Last year after being elected president of CAR, Ahmad Ahmad promised to make several reforms that will help improve African football. Enditem