Forced Exit

By Norman KatendeTHE Somali referees who handled the Uganda versus Egypt Africa Youth Cup tie on Saturday were forced to go back home on a Kenya Airways flight on Sunday.Referee Jama Osman and his two assistants Salah Omar and Ali Mohammed had refused to leave the country demanding for a refund from FUFA.The referees alleged that the money was spent during four days spent connecting to Uganda. Immigration officials at Entebbe were forced to intervene by Ugandan official Nelson Mubanda, and the trio were herded onto the plane.FUFA insist they asked the Somalis if they needed return tickets from Mogadishu to Entebbe weeks before they arrived. The Somalis said they would do with tickets from Nairobi, where FUFA claims they are based.The referees produced receipts from their travel agents saying they want a refund of $900 (sh1.6m) since they are returning to Mogadishu and had refused to leave the country.Immigration officers intervened after Mubanda explained FUFA’s position.FUFA general secretary Haruna Mawanda confirmed the incident.“We sent air tickets for the trip and on reaching here, we gave them their allowance of $750 (sh1.35m) each. We could not give them more money,” said FUFA treasurer Patrick Isiagi.FUFA yesterday received faxes from the Somalis, saying they are stranded in Nairobi and need their money.Somali and Burundi referees have been a headache to FUFA, as they have always demanded for more pay.r SC Villa’s postponed Nile Special Super League match against Lyantonde URA is set for Thursday at Mandela Stadium Namboole.Ends