The Press — This Time, It's Karim Khmiri
Karim Khmiri, a former international referee with a past marred by serious errors and biased decisions in favor of a club he supports, has come to defend the Refereeing Department. As the person in charge of VAR, he has made statements that are meaningless and intended to "muddy the waters." His speech was so bland, disconnected from reality, and even hypocritical. According to him, there are no serious refereeing problems, and the scenes and errors, partly caused by the pernicious manipulation of VAR and the images provided by the famous supporter-director, are exaggerated.
Everything is Fine for Karim Khmiri
Everything is fine for Karim Khmiri, who, like his colleagues, speaks without saying anything and mocks the intelligence of Tunisians. How can a former referee who was not brilliant and who wronged more than one club during his short career aspire to such a position? The problem is serious. Our memory recalls the few honest and confirmed referees who, even if they make mistakes, do so in good faith, and we also remember those suspect referees who have reigned for years in exchange for services rendered.
A Long History of Suspicious Refereeing
A large number of our referees have rigged matches and titles since the championship existed, and many of them have made an international career and a name for themselves by using the system and serving influential people in sports for over 60 years. How can we expect refereeing to be revived and our referees to gain everyone's trust when the leaders of this sector are almost all suspects with a dark past? This is the real question that everyone avoids asking and nuancing.
The Same Suspects in Charge
Responsible officials, designators, trainers, commissioners, and consultants - almost all of these people have changed hats, but come from the dark periods of Tunisian refereeing. They were (and still are) actors and even accomplices of the "disgusting" behind-the-scenes and sad episodes that have marked the history of Tunisian football. We cannot hope to reform and revive a dying refereeing system by relying on all these people. A renowned, honest, and strong referee, even if there are not many, is the profile that can clean up a sector in free fall.
No Hope for Change
Unfortunately, and for years, it is the failed and malicious former referees who occupy the scene and succeed each other in positions. Of course, nothing will change. We are still witnessing injustice and shady dealings. And do not hope for a better tomorrow, because those who put them there do so on purpose to pull the strings and protect a fraudulent system that consecrates the "corrupt".
