adminMashingaidze was allegedly threatened by an operative from the Central Intelligence Organisation who teamed up with an accomplice in a bid to extort money from him using the Asiagate investigations as a bait.
Last week, Fifa secretary-general Jerome Valcke wrote to Zifa seeking further clarification on the incident that led Mashingaidze to make startling claims that his life was in danger.
In a letter to Mashingaidze, Valcke said Fifa urgently need to be apprised of the situation.
“We refer to the matter of reference and inform you that from the content of various media reports, we have come to learn with great dismay about the unfortunate incident in which you were involved on 21 February 2012 in Harare, supposedly in connection with the current match-fixing investigations involving the Zimbabwe Football Association (Zifa),” read part of the letter.
A CIO operative, Richard Mubaiwa, has since appeared in court facing charges of extortion.
He was remanded out of custody on US$200 bail along with his co-accused John Chari, who is a farmer.
According to the charge sheet, the duo demanded US$10 000 to protect Mashingaidze from unknown forces who were targeting him for his role in the Asiagate match-fixing investigations.
Zifa president, Cuthbert Dube, last week blasted the attempts to muzzle the association in the investigations.
Fifa indicated they would need full apprisal of the incident.
“In order for us to have a proper understanding of the situation, we ask you to provide us with a detailed report on the account of events relating to the unfortunate incident,” read part of the letter by Valcke.
Fifa also threw their weight behind Zifa in the match-fixing investigations.
“Furthermore, we take this opportunity to confirm Fifa’s support towards Zifa and its actions in connection the match fixing allegations.
“Also we stress that the meeting held between Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and Fifa’s president (Sepp Blatter) on July 4, 2011 was organised upon Fifa’s request as it is customary for the Fifa president to meet the highest political authorities in the countries he visits,” said Valcke.
Zifa has since suspended 96 players from turning out for the national team until their names have been cleared by an Independent Ethics Committee.
Warriors’ coach Norman Mapeza and his assistant Joey Antipas, who were also fingered in part of the Asiagate report, have also been suspended.
Online Reporter