FAZ suspends referee for season over match decisions

By Julius Sakala

The Football Association of Zambia –FAZ- has suspended FIFA Referee, JOSEPH KALUNGA, for the rest of the 2024-2025 football season.

This follows his performance during the Week 26 MTN Super League match played on March 1, 2025, involving Atletico Lusaka and FC Muza, which ended 2-1 in favour of the host.

During this match, KALUNGA awarded a penalty to FC MUZA FC, which the Technical and Match Review Committee of the Referees deemed wrong, after reviewing video footage.

The committee also noted other contested calls, which were made by KALUNGA, leading to crowd trouble during the match.

FAZ General-Secretary, REUBEN KAMANGA has confirmed the suspension of KALUNGA based on the recommendation of the Technical and Match Review Committee of the Referees.

KAMANGA said FAZ will not exercise leniency on match officials, who regularly fail to live up to the ethos of fair play in matches with stakes getting higher in the final stages of the league.

KALUNGA becomes the second high profile referee to be suspended this season, after SHEM NYONDO was banished following his performance during the Week 17 fixture between Kabwe Warriors and Nkana, on December 18, 2024.

This is according to a statement availed to ZNBC sports by FAZ Communications Manager, SYDNEY MUNGALA.

(Image credit FAZ)