Ethiopian Premier League Committee admits refereeing errors affected 2025/26 season

Ethiopian Premier League Competition and Discipline Committee head Wegene Walteniguse has admitted that the 2025/26 top-flight season has seen refereeing mistakes that unfairly gifted some clubs points. The committee head stressed that refereeing errors impacted the league during the first half of the season.

Walteniguse told state-owned broadcaster Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation (EBC) that the mistakes are significant and evident. “Fans are right that mistakes have happened. The National Referee Committee has also acknowledged that errors have occurred. They stated that some clubs gained three points unfairly, while others lost three points due to these mistakes.”

Walteniguse emphasized that the mistakes have affected the league, with some even influencing the standings. “Some of the mistakes would have made a difference in the current league table. The National Referee Committee shares the same sentiment as we do. We also find that the mistakes have been costly.”

The committee head further added that out of the seven technical complaints presented to the league, only three were found to be valid. Walteniguse said the lack of regulations on how to handle such errors has prevented the committee from fully addressing the problem. He confirmed that, for now, taking administrative action and penalizing match officials has been the best possible solution.

After repeated refereeing mistakes in the top flight, the Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF) called an emergency meeting with match officials last month. The EFF warned referees that it is prepared to take harsh measures. In the meantime, the federation has pledged to provide communication equipment to assist referees.