. . . Football family speaks on FIFA ban
FIFA’S decision to suspend Zimbabwe from international football following a deadlock between the Sport and Recreation Commission and ZIFA continues to hog the limelight and has predictably divided opinion among the domestic game’s stakeholders.
The majority led by local football’s parliament, the ZIFA Congress, believe the indefinite ban was a necessary evil that could help a dying game rediscover its mojo and show why it is the country’s flagship sport.
For the ordinary man and woman on the streets, who simply love their game,
FIFA’s move left them with more questions than answers as they seek to understand the impact of the world football governing body’s sanctions on Zimbabwe. announcing their suspension of Zimbabwe on Thursday night, also handed a similar penalty to Kenya, who just like ZIFA, had their association’s leadership suspended in November last year.
“We have had to suspend two of our members, Kenya and Zimbabwe, both for government interference in activities of football associations.
“The associations are suspended with immediate effect. They know what needs to be done for them to be readmitted or for their suspensions to be lifted,’’ FIFA president Gianni Infantino said.
FIFA also demanded the reinstatement of Zifa president Felton Kamambo’s board and the withdrawal of the SRC’s litany of charges it has laid against the association’s leadership, including some that are pending at the Harare magistrates’ courts, before the suspension
can be lifted.
On their part the SRC have maintained that Kamambo and his crew remain suspended.
In terms of the Fifa suspension, ZIFA lost all their membership rights while the association’s representatives and club teams will no longer take part in international competitions until the ban is lifted.
As part of the sanctions, neither ZIFA nor any of its members or officials will benefit from any development programmes, courses or training from FIFA and CAF.
On the local front, allegations against the ZIFA Board include abuse of public funds, attempting to cover up sexual harassment of women referees, bribery and match-fixing.
In sticking to their guns, the Sports Commission, who are expected to outline a comprehensive roadmap tomorrow, have maintained that they will not reinstate the Zifa board but will instead move forward with their drive to clean up the problems that have plagued national football.
The development has however, been hailed by a number of prominent football personalities, who feel the FIFA suspension could give Zimbabwe an opportunity to “start afresh.”
Premier Soccer League chief executive officer, Kennedy Ndebele, also clarified yesterday the effects of the FIFA suspension on the local top-flight league.
“In the immediate, we are not affected by the suspension because it only affects international matches. “The Castle Lager Premier Soccer League programme will go ahead as scheduled,” said Ndebele.
“But, if the clean-up exercise being undertaken by the Sports Commission takes longer than the end of the season, then it might affect clubs that would want to take part in CAF inter-club competitions.
“As of now, fans will watch our local football provided they are following Covid-19 protocols. The FIFA suspension does not in any way affect the PSL.”
Ndebele revealed that Premiership clubs were not benefitting much from the FIFA Forward funds and programmes that are availed to ZIFA on an annual basis.
“Having said that, while this suspension may affect international matches, in terms of the FIFA programmes and funds, the PSL has not benefitted much save for the US$120 000 out of the US$1.8 million
ZIFA received from FIFA and CAF for Covid19 relief.
“The promise made by ZIFA for payment of referees’fees only went as far as the first half of the Chibuku Super Cup.
“In terms of development programmes like training of administrators or coaches, the PSL has not been benefitting since 2015 or beyond.
“We pray that the SRC complete this clean-up process so that we will have a clear understanding of how the FIFA funds are being utilised and will be utilised in the future.
“The problem is we have not really seen the presence of FIFA in this country apart from the funding, which never reaches the intended destinations,” said Ndebele.
ZIFA’s top-policy making body, the Congress, has also remained resolute that it will press ahead with their rescheduled Emergency General Meeting (EGM) on April 3.
The EGM was instigated by over 30 ZIFA members including the Premiership clubs, who signalled an intention to revoke the mandate of some of the ZIFA board members on allegations of financial mismanagement, abuse of office and usurping the powers of the Congress.
ZIFA Northern Region chairman, Martin Kweza, who has been mandated to speak on behalf of the councillors, said in a statement yesterday that the FIFA suspension would not “stop Congress from weeding out corruption.”
He reiterated that the councillors would proceed to convene the EGM.
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