FUFA Suspends Assistant Referee Osire for Disallowing Goal

The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) through the Referees Disciplinary Panel (RDP) has handed a six-month suspension to assistant referee Juma Osire, who disallowed a goal for Kitara FC against Vipers SC.

Osire was the first assistant referee in the StarTimes Uganda Premier League game between Vipers SC and Kitara FC at St. Mary’s Stadium which ended in a 2-1 in favor of Vipers.

The controversial moment unfolded in the first minute of additional time, where Osire ruled out a goal for Kitara FC, citing an offside. However, video footage later revealed that none of the Kitara FC players were in an offside position.

There were protests from fans, many claiming that Osire had been influenced by Vipers, often referring to Kitende stadium as "Cheatende." Critics further utilized various platforms to express their discontent, citing poor officiating as a reason for the declining interest in Uganda Premier League matches.

FUFA suspended the referee for six months and forwarded him to the Investigation Chamber of the FUFA Ethics and Disciplinary Committee for further investigation for allegedly repeating the same behavior.

“Osire is therefore suspended from officiating football at all levels for six months which comes into force immediately. Following his repeated pattern of behavior, Mr. Osire Juma is forwarded to the Investigatory Chamber of the FUFA Ethics and Disciplinary Committee for further investigation.”

However, this is not the first time for FUFA to suspend a match official either for awarding an offside goal or denying a right goal.  In 2018, FUFA banned three match officials including Centre Referee Kirangwa Ronald, 1st Assistant Referee Nantabo Lydia Wanyama, and 2nd Assistant Referee Mr. Kakembo Samuel. 

The referees were accused of allowing the Vipers’ equalizer goal against Express FC yet the goal it was scored from an offside position. Kirangwa was banned for three years, Kakembo was banned for five years while Wanyama was banned for 60 days. 

Earlier this year, the FUFA Disciplinary panel ordered the replay of the Stanbic Uganda Cup of 32 ties between BUL FC and SC Villa after Villa filed a petition following their disallowed goal in the match that was played on February, 17th 2023 at FUFA Technical Center in Njeru. 

BUL FC had eliminated Villa in the round of 32 courtesy of a Ronald Otti goal. Villa had however levelled the tie through Charles Bbaale but the goal was cancelled for offside.