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Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
ZIFA chief executive officer Jonathan Mashingaidze has made sensational claims that African federations were directed by Caf to vote for Sepp Blatter as Fifa president at the world soccer governing body’s congress last week.Mashingaidze made the claims in an interview with ZiFM radio on Wednesday afternoon.
However, Caf immediately dismissed the claims saying individual associations make their own decisions free from Caf influence.
Mashingaidze said Zifa had learnt with “great interest” the resignation of the powerful Fifa boss and confirmed that Zimbabwe voted for the former Swiss army colonel “on account of what he did for Africa and Zimbabwe”.
“We have learnt with great interest the resignation of Fifa president Blatter, but we would like to set the record straight that he was our candidate during the just-ended congress on account of what he did for Africa and on account of what he did for Zimbabwe and whatever could have obtained thereafter we believe it’s something to do with global institutions,” said Mashingaidze.
Responding to a question on who Zifa will now vote for at the extraordinary congress that would be convened to elect a new Fifa boss between December and March 2016, Mashingaidze said: “We will be guided by the names that will come forward on one hand and we will also be guided by our fellow brothers from Caf. Remember Caf have their own extraordinary congress to chart the way forward because this issue impinges on our rights and privileges as Caf.”
Pressed to comment on Mashingaidze’s sensational claims, Caf spokesman Erick Mwanza said no one is bullied into voting for a particular candidate.
“No one bullies anyone into voting for anybody. Leaders have independent thoughts, decisions and a secret vote,” Mwanza responded through micro blogging site Twitter.
Blatter was retained when his sole challenger, Jordanian Prince Ali bin Al Hussein pulled out of the second round of balloting after losing the first round 73 to 133 votes.
Online Reporter