ARUSHA, May 1 -- MINISTER for Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Paul Makonda, has called for urgent reforms to improve refereeing standards in domestic football, amid growing concern over inconsistent officiating.

Speaking at a World Press Freedom Day press conference in Arusha, Minister Makonda directed the National Sports Council (NSC) to work closely with the Tanzania Football Federation and Tanzania Premier League Board to strengthen discipline and ethical conduct among match officials.

“Our ministrys role is to nurture, not to interfere,” he said. “We want a fair game we would not like referees to be the cause of ruining our game.”

His remarks followed a recent Union Cup derby officiated by a Kenyan re...