adminSport is all about Fair Play. It is in this regard that all sport bans the use of performance enhancing drugs.
Betting in sport was legalised so that profits are shared in a manner that promotes the growth of sport whereas match-fixing does not benefit sport.
We welcome the findings of the ethics committee. This was long overdue and our soccer can now open a new leaf aware that the chapter has been closed.
For almost two years our soccer players and fans have been fearing the worst. It is better to know your fate than live a life of uncertainty like most have had to endure.
Many players failed to get contracts beyond our borders because their prospective clubs feared for the worst once the findings were out.
There is no doubt that some punishment is desired so that it acts as a deterrent measure as cheating of any sort hits hard on the moral fibre on which sport is founded. Its foundation is on Fair Play.
It would appear that the perpetrators from Zifa working with some agents and some clubs worked on a scheme of self-aggrandisement. Whatever it took they did not care as long as they went on those trips, got their players capped and ready for a market with certain local clubs and outside the country.
Players have confirmed that once in the national team, they were coerced to join certain clubs with a particular player agent becoming the manager for both coaches and players to facilitate easy deals. Working in cahoots with the media, the players would then get spotlight to attract attention outside our borders resulting in lucrative moves.
Those lucky to move to South Africa and Europe were the lucky ones, in that even when the bans are effected they could have a base to start from in life outside football. A majority of the players especially those still at home were not as fortunate as their counterparts, they will have nothing to show for their Asiagate scars.
To those who were in the forefront and sold their souls and country for 30 pieces of silver, we believe life bans are not enough. A majority were not full-time football practitioners and will lose nothing if they are barred. They should also be subject to court action for their corrupt tendencies and properties bought through ill-gotten wealth repossessed and sold by Zifa to mitigate on financial prejudice suffered by not qualifying for major events like the 2010 World Cup and three Africa Cup of Nations tournaments since 2008.
We implore Zifa since they are yet to announce more names than the 15 that got life bans, that they consider the plight of the players. So many innocent people have been affected to date. Now even families will be victims as announcements will take their loved ones out of the game for periods ranging from six months to life.
Consideration should be made to give even suspended sentences for those who went say once. Those who had become professional match-fixers should face the wrath of football justice and serve time.
As they grow up in soccer Fair Play as enforced by coaches and referees is the cornerstone of the game. They betrayed even themselves by being paid to lose and if they were threatened outside the country, back home they had all the protection from the game and legal systems.
For Zimbabwe and the rest of the continent, let us all stand up and kick corruption in soccer out for good.
Soccer like any other sport has thrived on unpredictability of the final result. When matches are fixed there is no more incentive for fans and sponsors to be involved.
This saga should provide the basis for a clean Zimbabwe soccer for the future with transparent elections, team selections and national coaches appointments.
Match-fixing has no room in society, let us all play a part to get rid of it.
Online Reporter
Londile Moyo