Is FUFA's ban on referee Donney genuine?

Jul 16, 2015

Centre referee Robert Donney has been given a four-month ban over his handling of the aborted Uganda Cup final between KCCA FC and SC Villa last month.


By Shafik Ssenoga

Uganda’s football governing body FUFA’s referees standing committee has suspended the four officials that handled the Uganda Cup final between KCCA FC and SC Villa that ended prematurely at Kyamate Grounds in Ntungamo last month.

Centre referee Robert Donney has been given a four-month ban while his assistants Musa Balikowa, Robert Bakwali plus the fourth official Brian Nsubuga have been suspended for two months each.

FUFA referees standing committee chairman Sam Mpiima told New Vision the officials’ handling of the match was below par.

“We reviewed their performance and we discovered it was not satisfying in the Uganda Cup match they officiated.”

Referee Donney came under fire following his questionable decisions during the final that ended on 72 minutes after KCCA fans stormed the pitch in protest, minutes after SC Villa striker Erisa Sekisambu had scored a controversial penalty.

FUFA called for a replay which Villa won 3-0 against a depleted KCCA side that missed the services of four players that were suspended by Donney.
 

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A KCCA FC player being restrained by a teammate from attacking controversial referee Robert Donney during the game. (Credit: Stephen Mayamba)


 


Policemen had to intervene to quell the chaos on the pitch. (Credit: Stephen Mayamba)



‘Rumours’

However, the timing of the suspensions for the four officials has raised eyebrows. The bans took effect on July 1, surprisingly at a time when the football domestic season is on a break.

With the exception of the FUFA Junior League, all the other competitions are on recess until August 21.

This means that Donney and the three other officials will literally be available for selection approximately two months and a couple of weeks respectively into the new season.

Donney, who was surprisingly voted the best referee in the FUFA Big League, sparked controversy in several matches last season.

When he was contacted about the ban, the referee said: “I just heard rumours that I have been banned for four months. I have not received any official communication from FUFA about the ban.”
 

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