Zifa scandal: Police called in

THE Zimbabwe Soccer Supporters Association yesterday filed a police report against Zifa board member Fungai Chihuri, who allegedly signed for $4 000 as board members’ allowances soon after the Warriors Afcon qualifier against Guinea.

The move came as the scandal arising from the financial statement released by Zifa soon after the game continued to unravel amid calls for the Ministry of Sports and Recreation to take decisive action against the Cuthbert Dube-led board.

Under case number 7865 /15 filed at Bulawayo Central Police Station, the ZNSSA asks the police to investigate a suspected case of fraud amid allegations that figures released by Zifa after the Afcon qualifier were cooked up.

ZNSSA chairman Eddie Chivero confirmed filing the report saying supporters cannot afford to stand and watch as the game is dragged into the gutter.

“As supporters we are just saying to the police, please go in and investigate because something suspicious happened at Rufaro last Sunday.

“This to us looks like a case of fraud but look, we are not law enforcement agents, we are just supporters of the game and this report we made shows our concern for the game we all love,” he said.

Zifa are accused of selling the nation a dummy by declaring they suffered a significant loss when they hosted the 2017 Nations Cup qualifier against Guinea.

The association claims they made a loss of over $12 000 but a simple perusal of the figures released reveals shocking anomalies, with Zifa claiming to have paid $3 000 to hire a bus that was donated.

The Afcon qualifier, played at Rufaro stadium, grossed $88 542 with Harare City Council collecting $13 281 for the use of Rufaro, ZRP $3 630 for security and match referees being paid US$3 800.

The Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC), Caf and Fifa were all paid $5 313, $4 427 and $1 771 respectively.

However, Zifa — who have said they won’t be commenting further on the scandal — admit to including debts that are not related to the match against Guinea on the controversial balance sheet.

The association is accused of having done this so as to cover up the siphoning of funds generated by the sold out match.