The Management Commission of the National Football League (Linafoot) has decided to sanction referee Mukala Martin with a six-month suspension for professional misconduct in the game that some weeks ago at Tata Raphaël stadium pitted the team of As V.Club against that of TP Mazembe.

In this decision made public on Thursday 2 May, Linafoot reproached the referee for not validating a goal scored by the green and black club at the 85th minute, even though the ball had fully crossed the goal line. His contested decision, it is learned, provoked strong reactions, both from the players and the supporters of V. Club.

Moreover, he was accused of not sanctioning the player Issama Mpeko of As V.Club, who had stepped on the thorax of Boubakar Hainikoye from TP Mazembe, and player Gbele from the same team. He had fouled by poking the player Oscar Kabwit inside the thighs between the two legs. For the officials of Linafoot, this violent action should have been severely punished, but the referee failed to take the necessary measures. The same applies to the second clearly reprehensible action that took place near the referee, who should have noticed it and acted accordingly.

For Linafoot, this disciplinary decision aims to guarantee the integrity and credibility of the competitions organized by Linafoot. It emphasizes the importance of professionalism and impartiality of referees in the course of matches. Linafoot thus reaffirms its commitment to a fair football respectful of the rules.

Summoned before the Referee Commission (CA) to present his defense, he justified his decisions. Regarding the refusal to validate the goal of As V Club, he explained that he had consulted his assistant, who believed that the ball had not fully crossed the goal line.

Furthermore, he claimed to have received instructions from the fourth official downplaying the seriousness of the fouls committed by V.Club players.

However, the Commission judged that the video footage of the match contradicts the explanations of the referee, emphasizing that Mukala had not only refused to validate the goal of V.Club.

For Linafoot, this disciplinary decision aims to ensure the integrity and credibility of the competitions it organizes. It underlines the importance of professionalism and impartiality of referees during matches. Linafoot thus reminds everyone of its commitment to fair football that respects the rules.

Boni Tsala