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THE Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) disciplinary committee has banned Division One (North) Gomes assistant coach George Phiri from all football-related activities for this season for beating a referee.
And FAZ has shortlisted five coaches for the national team job.
The association has also warned of stern action against verbal attacks on FAZ president Kalusha Bwalya in the build-up to the 2016 elections.
FAZ registrar Joel Kabika said at a briefing in Lusaka yesterday that Phiri beat a named referee during the Week Eight match between First Quantum Minerals (FQM) and Gomes in Solwezi.
Phiri and some players were not pleased with the referee’s officiating and took the law into their own hands.
Kabika said Gomes have been fined K5,000 for the unruly behaviour.
The disciplinary committee has awarded FQM a 3-0 win.
The committee also upheld Division One (South) leaders Kabwe Warriors’ 3-0 win over Luena Baffaloes in a week 16 match that was abandoned in Kaoma.
Buffaloes caused the abandonment of the game after the referee awarded Warriors a penalty.
Kabika said Buffaloes have been found with a case to answer for failing to protect match officials.
And FAZ head of club licencing Erick Mwanza said the Chipolopolo coach will be engaged next month.
Mwanza, however, could not disclose the names of the coaches.
But insiders said former Tunisia national team coach George Leekens is among those shortlisted.
Meanwhile, Mwanza said there is need to respect Kalusha.
Mwanza said campaigns for the FAZ elections will run from January to March 2016 and those intending to contest positions will be free to campaign.
“Those that will deliberately and wilfully bring football into disrepute will be dealt with. People should desist from attacks on the association and individuals,” he said.
Mwanza said football administrators should not throw away discipline because of the pending elections.
On Wednesday, football administrator Andrew Kamanga said the FAZ chief stands no chance of retaining his position in next year’s elections.
Kamanga said the wind of change was blowing in the country’s football circles ahead of the elections and that councillors have lost confidence in the current leadership.
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