• By Michael Uugwanga

“Being a football referee in Namibia is a big waste of time,” say some referees interviewed by Confidente this week, following reports that match officials continue to suffer due to a lack of voice. Recent reports indicate that football referees across the country, notably in the lower divisions, have not been paid their wages for two months despite their services, raising concerns about the future of refereeing in the country.

According to gathered information, an assistant referee in the second division earns N$100 per game, while in the FNB Women Super League, the first division, and the Debmarine Premiership, the fee is N$300. The amount for the third division has not yet been disclosed. A centre referee in the second division receives N$150 per match. In the first division, FNB Women Super League, and the Debmarine Premiership, the compensation is N$350 per match.

Referees are reportedly not allowed to speak to the media about their poor working conditions. However, Confidente managed to
contact match officials who spoke anonymously, expressing their experience of a toxic environment. In Windhoek, the majority, if not 99 percent, of match officials reside in informal settlements, with football being their sole source of income. They often have to walk considerable distances to officiate matches. The referee department provides each referee with only N$70 per day to cover taxi fares and meals.

Ironically, referees sometimes have to take long-distance minibus trips from Windhoek to places like Oranjemund or Keetmanshoop to officiate matches, and they are compensated per kilometre. “It’s a waste of time to be a referee in this country, at least until we get a FIFA panel. Mostly, high divisions (women’s and men’s premier leagues) should receive double their current pay. Maybe in the first division, referees should get N$400, because the pay in the second and third divisions is acceptable, but the transport allowance is too small,” said one referee.
 

Another referee, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed  greater concern about the extensive travel involved without proper compensation or timely payment of travel expenses. “Referees need a spokesperson because it seems no one has the authority to speak to the NFA office on their behalf. The week before last, referees from the north were involved in a car accident, and last week another accident tragically claimed the lives of two referees: Helmut Andreas (55) and Hans Petrus (26). Why? Referees often have to rush to matches because transport and meal/accommodation money is consistently paid late, sometimes not at all, or only
after the games. Referees endure a lot but have no one to advocate for them,” said another referee.

A different referee, also requesting anonymity for fear of reprisal, stated that they are sometimes forced to stay behind in case the assigned match official fails to appear.

“It is very difficult to be a referee in this country. Yes, we do walk as far as from Havana to Olympia because the N$70 allowance is insufficient. A taxi to Olympia costs N$39 one way. We all receive the same amount for taxi and meals.

There is no fixed salary for referees. We do get paid at the end of the month. We are even trying to advocate for fixed salaries. Some times we arrive early in the morning and leave late.

Occasionally, you will b e informed at the last minute to substitute for another referee who didn’t show up.”“We are paid according to the number of matches you officiate.

In South Africa, I understand that match officials are paid even during the off-season,” another referee mentioned. A prominent centre referee acknowledged that being a referee is a positive thing but noted that it is excessively challenging, empha-
sizing the need for an adjustment in the compensation for referees or match officials.

According to information revealed to Confidente, only one referee is currently on a FIFA pay-roll, with a reported salary know to the publication.

“Being a referee is a good thing, although it is quite challenging. Referees in the second division should be paid N$300 for centre
referees and N$250 for assistant referees. In the first division, it should be N$600 for centre referees and N$550 for assistant referees, while in the FNB Women Super League, it should be at least N$800 for centre referees and N$750 for assistant referees.

In the Debmarine Premiership, the pay should be N$1000 for centre referees and N$950 per match for assistant referees, and for the third division, at least N$200 for centre referees and N$150 for assistant referees,” stated the referee.