Julinho want ‘robbing’ refs benched

Julinho Sporting want “compromised” match officials out of action, the club said in a complaint letter to the Namibia Premier Football League (NPFL) yesterday.

The complaint stems from Sunday’s 1-1 draw away to Life Fighters, whom Julinho cited for getting away with dangerous play and favourable calls during the match.

Julinho’s chairperson Dino Ballotti said the club was dismayed and disappointed with the officiating and called for the match officials in question to be sidelined and investigated for suspected match manipulation.

“I personally received a tip-off prior to this match that the officials were compromised and that we should be careful. We did not take this information lightly and deployed our videographer from Rundu to record the away match at our additional expense. The decisions of the officials were one sided and compromised to say the least,” Balloti claimed in the letter to NPFL league director Mabos Vries, who was only due back in Windhoek from an international trip late yesterday.

“The tip-off was from a credible source and the outcome confirmed it was in fact accurate,” Balotti added.

Julinho submitted a video with the letter to back up their accusation “of the poor decisions, where it is clear that the officiating was compromised”.

Balotti said the officials were “clearly compromised” and “grossly incompetent” and as such should be investigated and suspended until conclusion of the investigation and whereafter, should be sent for training.

“We, therefore, wish to place on record our official complaint and highlight the seriousness of compromised officials as we draw near to the end of the NPFL season.”

Both clubs are embroiled in the relegation dog-fight.

Positioned at the foot of the league table, Life Fighters, who have won just two of their 21 matches this term, are battling to cling on to their topflight status, with Julinho sitting a point above the drop zone.

“We have since sustained four injuries from this match, due to the reluctance of the match officials to penalise foul play. We had a disallowed goal for an offside which video footage confirms was not even close, as well as the fourth official that gave nine minutes of injury time whereafter, the late goal from life fighters was scored in the fourth minute of extra time, the match official then blew the final whistle, not honouring the same absurd nine minutes given,” Balotti said.