Confederation of African Football (CAF) has lifted a provisional suspension imposed of Zambia’s FIFA referee Janny Sikazwe, who was accused of corruption in November last year.
CAF Disciplinary Committee said there was insufficient evidence to substantiate the corruption allegation levelled against Sikazwe and subsequently acquitted Zambia’s most decorated referee.
“After having thoroughly checked the elements presented to them regarding the violation by Mr Janny Sikazwe of CAF Regulations, in particular Arts. 82, 136, 152, of the CAF Disciplinary Code: The Disciplinary Board decided that there is no sufficient evidence to implicate the involvement of Mr. Janny Sikazwe regarding the allegations of corruption made against him. Therefore, the Disciplinary Board decides: the provisional suspension of Mr. Janny Sikazwe is lifted,” a CAF verdict read.
Sikazwe’s suspension came after he officiated the CAF Champions League second leg match between Angolan outfit Primeiro de Agosto and Esperance de Tunis of Tunisia, with the former losing the match.
Primeiro de Agosto then filed complaints against Sikazwe claiming that he was in violation of CAF Regulations Articles 82, 136 and 152 of the CAF disciplinary code.
Sikazwe is the first-ever Zambian referee to have officiated at the FIFA World Cup finals held in Russia last year.
