CAF to Keep Referees away from Public in January AFCON

Referees at next year’s Africa Cup of Nations will be kept away from the Public during the tournament in South Africa to avoid match fixing.

Similar security measures were used at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

According to reports released by the Local Organizing Committee Chief Executive Officer, Mvnzo Mbebe, the referees will be quarantined, in a particular hotel which no one has access to.

He further stated that security force members will always escort the referees from their hotels to the stadiums, as the quarantine will be lifted at the end of the tournament.

The confederation of African Football has approved the measures for the event, which takes place from 19 January to 10 February.

Meanwhile, following budget cuts, the LOC board members have waived their salaries. The Chairman of the LOC Mwelo Nonkonyana did reveal that in view of the cut even the allowance of board members won’t be provided for, because there’s no money.

Amid sluggish economic growth, authorities lowered their contribution to 205 million rand (23 million dollars and 18 million Euros) to cover costs of around 38 million dollars, with the rest made up of sponsorship, contracts and CAF’s contribution.

It would be recalled that during the London 2010 Olympic Games, the Local organizing committee made use of similar volutentry stewards as the people wanted to be part of the entire exercise which also helped the LOC save cost.