South African Video Assistant Referee (VAR) instructor Jerome Damon has reportedly demanded an apology from the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) for alleged character assassination.
The retired FIFA referee accuses FAZ of allegedly insinuating that he influenced the award of a penalty to Banyana Banyana when they beat the Copper Queens 1-0 at the 2022 Women’s African Cup of Nations in Morocco last month.
“I also request that an official apology and a full retraction of a statement from Zambia FA relating to me and my character as the mailing list to which the official list has been sent, it is extensive and far-reaching,” reads the letter he is said to have sent to CAF Secretary-General Veron Mosengo-Oumba.
“Sir, I have never been as offended in football as before, as I am today. I am firmly resolved to have my dignity and integrity maintained. For ease of reference, please note that I have copied the Chairperson of and Deputy of the CAF Referees committee and my federation, the South African Football Association.”
FARPost was unable to ascertain the authenticity of letter purportedly from Jerome, but several media outlets in Zambia, including respectable Daily Mail, have reported about the South African’s demand for the apology.
FAZ spokesperson Sydney Mungala is yet to respond to FARPost’s question seeking the association’s reaction to Damon’s letter.
The Daily Mail newspaper reports that FAZ are reportedly standing by their statement, insisting Damon was in the VAR room during the match.
However, Damon disputed this version of events as FAZ claimed, saying: “Sir, as I am part of CAF Delegation, the CAF Security records at the stadia will reflect that I have not been to any match venues for the entire duration of the tournament.”
The retired South African referee added: “What disturbs me most, is the insinuation that not only was I present in the VOR (which is completely illegal as per the IFAB VAR protocol) but that I may have influenced the outcome of the match. I have served African Football for many years with great integrity, on-and-off the field of play. I deserve better.”
FAZ had penned CAF on July 19 2022 asking for the cancellation of the result of the game against South Africa, saying Ethiopian referee Lydia Tafesae Abebe and VAR awarded a dubious 94th minute penalty for an alleged foul by Martha Tembo on Jermaine Seoposenwe. Linda Motlhalo scored from the spot.
Zambia FA’s letter of July 19 2022 makes no specific reference of Jerome as having been behind the contentious VAR decision and it is not clear as to which evidence the South African has that his named was dragged in mud.
CAF eventually threw out FAZ’s request for a replay of the game against South Africa who went on to win the championship.
