Christian Kabanga Malala, a referee in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Linafoot league, has been handed a severe punishment following a contentious decision made during a Playoff match. Malala has been suspended for 12 months by Linafoot for his role in awarding a penalty during the game between AS Vita Club and Aigles du Congo, a decision that has been widely criticized.
The penalty incident occurred during the match between AS Vita Club and Aigles du Congo, where Referee Kabanga Malala awarded a penalty to AS Vita Club, a decision that has been described as “imaginary.”
The penalty decision sparked controversy, with many questioning the legitimacy of the call.
In an official statement, Linafoot outlined the reasons for the sanction, stating, “Referee KABANGA MALALA YANNICK is accused of having awarded a penalty to the AS VCLUB team for a non-obvious fault committed in the penalty area in his field of vision.” T
he decision to suspend Malala for 12 months reflects the seriousness with which Linafoot views the incident.
Despite the suspension of the referee, the result of the match between AS Vita Club and Aigles du Congo remains unchanged, with the final score standing at 1-1.
Additionally, Malala’s assistant, Daddy Diasiwa, has also been sanctioned for his role in the incident.
Diasiwa has been suspended for six months by the Linafoot disciplinary committee for allegedly signaling an intentional foul in the penalty area, leading to the controversial penalty decision.
The suspension of Diasiwa underscores the accountability expected from match officials in ensuring fair play and accurate decision-making during games.
The decision to sanction both the referee and his assistant sends a clear message about the importance of upholding the integrity of the game and ensuring that match officials adhere to the highest standards of professionalism and accuracy.
As the football community in the Democratic Republic of Congo reflects on this incident, it serves as a reminder of the need for transparency and accountability in football officiating.
