Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA) has suspended referee Justin Karangwa for four weeks following officiating errors during a Rwanda Premier League match between APR FC and Rutsiro FC on Saturday, November 1. Karangwa’s suspension stems from a controversial decision to disallow a potential winning goal for APR FC. The match eventually ended in a 1-1 draw. In the 75th minute, APR FC forward William Togui appeared to have scored a second goal after heading in a cross from Hakim Kiwanuka, but the assistant referee, Justin Karangwa, flagged for offside, and the goal was ruled out. APR FC’s management questioned the decision, in addition to a first-half penalty awarded to Rutsiro FC. APR FC officially wrote to FERWAFA requesting a review of both decisions. Following a meeting on Tuesday, the FERWAFA Refereeing Commission determined that the penalty awarded to Rutsiro FC was justified. However, it concluded that the disallowed APR FC goal was an officiating error, leading to Karangwa’s four-week suspension.
