Zimbabwe Risks Suspension From International Football Following SRC’S Latest Attempt To Disband ZIFA Board
Zimbabwe is risking a ban from football’s world governing body Fifa after the Sports and Recreational Commission (SRC) suspended the Zimbabwe football Association (ZIFA) board with immediate effect.
The Gerald Mlotshwa led SRC announced the decision on their social media page on Tuesday afternoon.
“SRC hereby informs the public that upon extensive consultations on matters relating to the governance and management of football in Zimbabwe, the SRC board has with immediate effect suspended the ZIFA board in accordance with the Sports and Recreation act, ” read part of the statement.
The decision has been considered following several incidents of gross incompetence on the part of ZIFA that includes mismanagement and lack of accountability with public funds, sending of national teams outside the country without following proper Covid-19 protocols, reports of sexual harassment of female referees, no evidence of any meaningful developments among several other reasons.”
The SRC has been at loggerheads with the Zimbabwe Football Association board for a long time now over the alleged gross incompetence of the football mother board.
In 2019 SRC wrote to FIFA requesting the World body to disband the entire ZIFA body and replace it with a normalization commitee following disturbances that rocked the Warriors camp during 2019 Africa cup of nations finals in Egypt and the mismanagement of funds, but FIFA rejected the request saying that they expect ZIFA to manage their affairs independent of third parties.
The latest suspension comes after the Warriors bowed out of the World Cup qualifiers in the most disappointing fashion, managing only two points from six matches.
Although the team is currently undergoing a rebuilding phase, there appears to be chaos once again in the Warriors camp and the retirement from international football of star player Khama Billiat less than two months before the Africa cup of nations finals is a bit warrisome.
Fifa disapproves of governmental interference in the running of a member association and has banned countries from all forms of football as a result in the past.
This situation could therefore potentially lead to a suspension of Zimbabwe football by FIFA, which would have adverse consequences for the entire football in the country.
The Felton Kamambo led ZIFA board has been on the helm since December 2018.
Zimbabwe Warriors are scheduled to make their sixth appearance at the Africa cup of nations finals in Cameroon next year.
