DAR ES SALAAM: TANZANIA Football Federation (TFF) President, Wallace Karia, has called for greater support to, and understanding of match officials, saying growing criticism from fans and pundits risks affecting their confidence and international opportunities.
Karia made the remarks during an exclusive interview with the ‘Daily News’, noting that Tanzanian referees are often subjected to intense public scrutiny, particularly on social media, which he said could overshadow progress and on-field performance.
He said it was important for stakeholders in football to support enhancing, rather than undermining, confidence in match officials as they continue to develop.
“We must support our referees,” Karia said.
“Sometimes, the way discussions happen on social media creates unnecessary pressure. What we are seeing is a group of officials who are improving, but also operating under increasing scrutiny.”
Karia maintained that refereeing standards in the country have continued to improve over time, noting that local officials are receiving positive assessments from international observers.
He cited referee Ahmed Arajiga as an example of Tanzanian officiating talent that has performed at the continental level, including assignments at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
“Arajiga has represented us well at AFCON and handled high-level matches with confidence, even in challenging conditions,” he said.
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The TFF president added that advancements in communication technology and social media have made football discussions more immediate, but also more open to emotional or uninformed reactions.
While acknowledging the passion of fans, Karia encouraged more informed engagements when discussing refereeing decisions, especially given the complexity of modern officiating.
He said that continued improvement in training and officiating standards remains a priority for the federation, alongside efforts to ensure Tanzanian referees are well represented in international competitions.
Karia expressed hope that with continued development and broader support, more Tanzanian referees would earn opportunities on the global stage.