The Zambian Premier League wishes to clarify a disciplinary incident that occurred during a Week 20 fixture involving MUZA FC and Mutondo Stars.
In the 68th minute of the match, Mutondo Stars player number 6, Martin Chilufya, was correctly issued a yellow card for a cautionable offence.
In the 80th minute, MUZA FC player number 6, Javier Mum Boho, committed an offence classified as Stopping a Promising Attack (SPA).
The Centre Referee correctly intended to caution the player; however, during the disciplinary process, a case of mistaken identity occurred.
The referee inadvertently associated the earlier caution issued to Mutondo Stars’ player number 6 with MUZA FC’s player number 6, and as a result, a second yellow card and subsequent red card were mistakenly shown to Javier Mum Boho.
Before play was restarted, the Fourth Official, who maintains accurate team-specific disciplinary records, immediately identified the error and notified the Centre Referee.
Following consultation among the officiating team, the referee acknowledged the mistake, rescinded the second yellow card and resulting red card, and allowed the player to continue the match with one valid caution. The match then resumed in accordance with the appropriate restart.
In line with Law 5 of the Laws of the Game, referees are permitted to change an incorrect decision provided play has not restarted.
The correction was therefore lawful and procedurally sound, and the timely intervention ensured that a material technical error did not affect the integrity of the fixture.
The Zambian Premier League remains committed to upholding fairness, transparency, and the integrity of the competition.
Issued by:
Christina Zulu
Head of Communications
Zambian Premier League
