According to FAM Referees Development Officer Maxwell Mtonga the exercise is aimed at testing and identifying 15 referees who will be nominated for the FIFA International Referees Panel.
Mtonga says the listed referees will be eligible to officiate international games.

“We are having this test for the 36 Elite Referees for us to list down our nominations for the 2021 FIFA International Referees List.

“In view of the Covid-19 pandemic, all the referees who will undergo the fitness test have been advised to get tested and only those whose results will come out negative will participate,” said Mtonga.

Meanwhile, FAM says it will from next week start the Regional referee’s fitness tests to assess match officials ahead of the 2020-2021 football season set to kick off on November 21.

National Referees Physical Fitness Instructor Moffat Champiti will conduct the tests with supervision from the FAM Referees Subcommittee.