Zifa, PSL Covid-19 battle rages on
PREMIER Soccer League clubs have painted a gloomy picture of the future of the domestic game, amid a resurgence in the bickering between ZIFA and the top-flight body over the disbursement of FIFA Covid-19 relief funds.
Last week, ZIFA, in a move that left PSL sides shocked, announced a slash in the funding they will now avail to the league in a revised schedule of the funds they are disbursing as part of the US$1.5 million relief package availed by world soccer governing body FIFA.
The association slashed by half the initial US$20 000 they had allocated to the PSL for administration in the facilitation of football’s safe return in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Ironically, ZIFA have now parcelled money even to affiliates such as Beach Soccer and Futsal that have been inactive.
Questions have been raised by clubs on the decision by ZIFA to avail funds to non-existent structures like the referees’ desk which was last manned by Obert Mamvura in 2016.
They are also paying Division 4 match officials when most provinces do not have such leagues operating.
ZIFA communications and competitions manager Xolisani Gwesela told our sister paper The Herald last week that the soccer mother body had exercised their discretion when adjusting the disbursement schedule.
“It was after consultations with other affiliates and that is what was recommended.
“It’s certainly not a counter reaction to whatsoever, these are recommendations of affiliates through stakeholder consultations, for equitable distribution of Covid-19 relief funds.
“PSL are not the only affiliate saddled with administration expenses. ZIFA and its affiliates reserve the right to apportion the funds in the way they see fit instead of being micromanaged into explaining every detail.
“The figures we have released are final,” said Gwesela.
But the clubs, in a comprehensive six-page document they have come up with, implored their chairman Farai Jere to revisit the matter and make a strong representation of their plight to the ZIFA board.
CAPS United president Jere sits on the ZIFA board by virtue of his position as PSL chairman and the clubs believe he should do more to convince his colleagues — Felton Kamambo, Philemon Machana, Brighton Malandule, Sugar Chagonda and Barbra Chikosi — to consider the plight of the top-flight clubs.
It is also the clubs’ contention that ZIFA could be punishing them for demanding their share of the FIFA funds in hard currency.The clubs steadfastly maintained their position when they met the ZIFA board in Harare on July 18.
Other affiliates such as the regions claimed they did not have any qualms with being paid their share in Zimbabwe dollars.
“The Premier Soccer League and its clubs currently employ over 750 workers. The Premier Soccer League Clubs like all other organisations were affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. The League programmes were suspended on 20 March 2020 just after the Castle Challenge Cup Season opener between FC Platinum and Highlanders FC when the Government introduced a raft of measures to curb the spread of Covid-19.
“The suspension of football programmes coincided with the closure of the first player registration period on 31 March 2020,’’ reads part of the dossier the clubs want Jere to take back to ZIFA.
The elite league also revealed that their sponsorship deal with Delta Beverages had been temporarily halted by Covid-19.
“The Premier Soccer League has had a partnership with Delta Beverages, which expired on 31 December 2019. Negotiations for renewal of the sponsorship had been concluded before the Covid-19 pandemic-forced break.
“The contract was yet to be signed and Delta Beverages postponed the signing of the contract in light of the corona virus pandemic.
“Given the magnitude of financial strain that all organisations, including Delta Beverages have experienced, it is our hope that the contract will be signed when dates for resumption of football activities are announced. The quantum of the sponsorship is yet to be agreed upon.
“Clubs are expected to be paying salaries and other expenses for the upkeep of their players. There have been media reports of some clubs failing to pay their players’ salaries.
“The global Covid-19 pandemic has led to FIFA and CAF supporting their member associations financially. According to FIFA documents, the financial support is meant to cover the following:
◆ The restart of competitions
across all categories
◆ The implementation of return to play protocols, including testing
◆ The payment of staff costs and rehiring of essential staff where necessary
◆ The maintenance of football
ing infrastructure
◆ The payment of general administration and operating costs
The PSL also acknowledged that ZIFA reserved the right to distribute the funds as they saw fit. “It is appreciated that the funding will be disbursed at the sole discretion of the Football Association. There is a need for an equitable distribution of the said funds. The Premier Soccer League and its clubs ought to be considered as a top League employing over 750 professional employees.
“ZIFA circulated a schedule of proposed disbursement of funds on July 20, wherein the Premier Soccer League was allocated funds as follows — first tranche to be paid in July 2020 — $20 000 (Twenty Thousand United States Dollars) for the League administration — $100 000 (One Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) for the Premier Soccer League Clubs.
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