Erasmus Shalihaxwe
Landless People’s Movement (LPM) parliamentarian Utaara Mootu has raised concern over the low wages and non-payment of football referees, warning that the situation exposes them to bribery and undermines the integrity of the sport.
“Referees are paid as little as N$50 to N$400 per game, despite the physical, emotional, and professional demands of their work,” Mootu said in parliament this week.
She directed her concerns to the minister of education, innovation, sports, youth, arts and culture, Sanet Steenkamp, questioning the ongoing delays in payments by the Namibia Football Association (NFA).
Mootu said some referees have reportedly gone unpaid for over three months.
According to Mootu, officials in the third division and women’s regional leagues have not received payment since March 2025.
Referees in the Debmarine Premiership have been unpaid since April, while those in the first and second divisions and the FNB Women Super League have not been paid for two months.
“Match officials have repeatedly inquired about their salaries and have been met with the response that ‘there is no money’. This amounts to institutional neglect and places livelihoods at risk,” she said.
Mootu called for answers on when the ministry would present a full plan to professionalise sports in the country, as promised in the 2025/2026 budget.
She asked whether any research or feasibility studies had been conducted to inform the agenda and who the contracted consultants or institutions responsible for compiling the data were.
She also questioned how these stakeholders were selected and what their key findings were.
“Can the minister confirm whether they have consulted the Namibia Football Association and are aware that referees, match assessors, and other officials remain unpaid for extended periods? Beyond referees, who else is owed outstanding payments, and what timelines have been committed for their payment?” She asked.
Mootu demanded to know the immediate steps the ministry will take to resolve the unpaid referee crisis, stating that the issue is no longer just administrative.
“This is a bread-and-butter matter affecting individuals who support households, children, and broader communities,” she said.
She also asked what systems or policies would be introduced under the professionalism plan to ensure referees, players, and coaches receive prompt, transparent payments, especially during national and international competitions.
“While respecting the independence of the NFA, what oversight mechanisms will the ministry employ to safeguard accountability, financial transparency, and institutional integrity in the administration of sports?” she added.
Unpaid referee fees remain a persistent issue within the football community. In 2018, top referees accused the NFA of owing them substantial amounts following their participation in the Debmarine Namibia Cup.
