The Reality We’re Facing

Being an referee in Suriname should be something to be proud of. We love the game, we give our time, and we show up week after week. But right now, it’s getting harder to stay motivated.

Things within the Referee Department of the Surinaamse Voetbal Bond (SVB) are falling apart bad communication, broken promises, and a serious lack of respect.

What’s Going Wrong

1. No Communication, No Clarity

We’ve seen referees receive match bans or be removed from the schedule without any explanation. 

“I once trained all week for a match, only to find out from a teammate that I wasn’t appointed anymore no call, no message, nothing.”

This is disrespectful. How are we supposed to improve or correct ourselves without feedback or transparency?

2. Broken Promises & Missing Resources

For two seasons now, the SVB has promised us new referee shoes and communication headsets. We’re still waiting. Even basic materials like whistles, flags, aren’t provided.

“We’re told every year that help is coming. But it never comes. We use our own money for everything.”

3. Late Payments & Financial Stress

Getting paid 2 to 3 weeks after a match is now the norm. And many of us haven’t even been paid for matches from earlier this season. Referees that led the group that spoke up where banned for months. Not normal referees but top level referees, Sergio Rozenhout, Soren Amalensi, Mozes Keketi, Junior Scholsberg and even Jokil.

“Some matches I officiated months ago still no payment. And when we ask, we only get illogical excuses .”

To make things worse, we don’t get paid for training, even when we show up and invest time into improving. And when we raised these issues in the past, the response we heard was:

“All you guys care about is money.”

That hurt. Because it’s not about money it’s  about basic respect.

4. No Official Training = No Growth

We haven’t had structured, official referee training in months. If it weren’t for Mijensa Rensch and Shekiel Jokil, we’d have nothing at all.

Without consistent coaching and physical preparation, our performances are suffering. We’re not getting better we’re just trying to survive.

What Other Referees Are Saying

“We’re treated like we’re replaceable. But when we’re not there, the games can’t go on.”

— Anonymous Referee

“I left because I couldn’t handle the stress anymore. It’s not worth it if nobody respects what we do.”

— Former Assistant Referee

What Needs to Change

We’re not here just to complain—we want to see improvement. Here’s what can be done:

• Clear communication from the Referee Commission and appointments team.

• Timely payments for matches no more waiting weeks or months.

• Fulfillment of material promises (shoes, headsets, uniforms, etc.).

• Official weekly training sessions, just like players have.

• Respect for referees’ voices without backlash.

 Why We’re Still Here

Most of us haven’t walked away because we still love this game. We still believe in what football could look like in Suriname professional, structured, united. But our passion shouldn’t be used against us.

We don’t need luxury. We need structure. We need support.

And above all we need respect.

A Call to Action

To the SVB, to SML, to clubs, to fans:

Don’t forget that referees are part of the game too.

We ask for accountability, communication, and consistency because we love what we do. But we can’t do it alone anymore.

To the referees still hanging on:

Keep standing strong. Keep supporting each other. Speak up. Our voices matter.