Zimbabwean-Born Farai Hallam Marks EPL Debut as Fourth Official

Farai Hallam (image source)

Farai Hallam, a Zimbabwean-born former footballer, took his first steps into English football’s officiating elite over the weekend when he was appointed fourth official in Liverpool’s Premier League clash against Bournemouth. For Hallam, once a Championship forward with Middlesbrough, it was not just a career milestone but a defining moment for Zimbabweans across the diaspora who continue to break barriers in fields where their presence is still rare.

Hallam’s footballing journey started with boots and goals but has now found a new life in whistles and substitution boards. After his professional playing days wound down, he chose a less-travelled road—refereeing. It required dedication securing FA refereeing badges, cutting his teeth in grassroots leagues, and steadily advancing through the ranks of non-league and the English Football League. By the time he appeared at Anfield this past weekend, Hallam had transformed from a player chasing through defences to an official ensuring order in one of the world’s most scrutinised football arenas. His role as fourth official—managing substitutions, monitoring technical areas, assisting the main referee administratively, and being ready to step in if needed—might appear secondary to fans, but insiders know it is pivotal in keeping the game’s tempo flowing smoothly.

For Zimbabweans watching from afar, Hallam’s achievement resonates deeply. It shows that the diaspora is not confined to certain expected paths such as nursing, teaching, or lower-tier sporting roles. Instead, Zimbabweans abroad are increasingly finding spaces in specialist, often overlooked fields. Officiating at the highest level of English football is a clear demonstration of this expansion.

Hallam’s success also challenges stereotypes around migration. Often, Zimbabweans in the UK are boxed into narratives of economic struggle or “survival jobs.” Yet his rise to a Premier League touchline reflects a different reality: ambition, persistence, and the ability to diversify professionally. Hallam is not alone in blazing trails. In sport, the UK-based Zimbabwean diaspora has produced players such as Brendan Galloway, who featured for Everton and later represented Zimbabwe internationally; Admiral Muskwe, who plays in the English leagues and also turned out for the Warriors; and Macauley Bonne, who has been a consistent performer in the English Football League.

Beyond sport, Zimbabweans have also made notable strides in academia, business, and politics. In health and research, professionals like Dr Brighton Kaoma, a Rhodes Scholar based in the UK, are shaping climate and sustainability discourses. In the arts, Zimbabwean creatives in Britain continue to carve out spaces, with fashion designers, poets, and musicians drawing on heritage while engaging global audiences. Hallam’s transition to refereeing adds another layer to this story, it represents the diversification of Zimbabwean influence in the UK, beyond visibility as players or performers into the “hidden infrastructures” that keep industries functioning.

His trajectory also raises important questions for Zimbabwe’s domestic football system. While Hallam has benefited from the professional structures of the English FA, retired players at home often face limited opportunities beyond coaching. Very few transition into refereeing, sports administration, or policy-making. This points to a structural gap in Zimbabwean football: the absence of clear pathways for former professionals to stay in the game in non-playing roles.

If Zimbabwe wants to build a stronger football ecosystem, it needs to create frameworks where ex-players can become referees, administrators, or analysts. Hallam’s rise should inspire such reforms, reminding the nation that player careers are finite, but expertise can be redeployed if systems allow.

Hallam’s immediate task will be to prove consistency in his new role. The Premier League is unforgiving, and referees face intense scrutiny from managers, players, media, and fans alike. Even a fourth official is not shielded from criticism if errors are perceived. His long-term goal will likely be to step into centre-referee duties, first in lower divisions and eventually in the Premier League itself. Should he achieve this, Hallam would make history as the first Zimbabwean-born central referee in English football’s top flight.