adminSikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
FORMER Zifa programmes officer Jonathan Musavengana faces a worldwide life ban from all football related activities following a recommendation by the Fifa Ethics Committee’s investigatory chamber.
Musavengana is accused together with former Safa president Kirsten Nematandani and former Togolese national team coach Banna Tchanile of manipulating several friendly matches played in South Africa in 2010.
In a statement, the Ethics Committee said Musavengana and Tchanile breached article 13 paragraphs 1-4 and article 21, paragraph one and three of the Fifa Code of Ethics.
Article 13, paragraph 1-4 reads: “Persons bound by this Code are expected to be aware of the importance of their duties and concomitant obligations and responsibilities, are obliged to respect all applicable laws and regulations as well as Fifa’s regulatory framework to the extent applicable to them. Persons bound by this Code shall show commitment to an ethical attitude. They shall behave in a dignified manner and act with complete credibility and Integrity, (and) may not abuse their position in any way, especially to take advantage of their position for private aims or gains.”
In a press statement yesterday, the deputy chairman of the investigatory chamber of the independent Ethics Committee, Djimbaraye Bourngar, said investigations into the activities of Nematandani, Musavengana and Tchanile had been concluded.
“As chief of investigation, Bourngar submitted the respective reports, including the relevant recommendations together with the investigation files, to the adjudicatory chamber of the Ethics Committee, which is chaired by Hans-Joachim Eckert. The investigations into the three individuals were initiated in relation to their specific conduct in the organisation of several international friendly matches played in South Africa in 2010,” reads the statement.
“In his final report, the chief of investigation recommends the sanction of a ban for no less than six years and a fine of no less than CHF 10,000 (about $10,397.29) for Nematandani for apparent violation of art. 13 pars 1-4 (General Rules of Conduct), art. 15 (Loyalty) and art. 18 (Duty of Disclosure, Cooperation and Reporting) of the Fifa Code of Ethics (FCE). Furthermore, he recommends the sanction of a lifelong ban for both Musavengana and Tchanile for the apparent breach of art. 13 pars 1-4 and art. 21 pars 1 and 3 (Bribery and corruption) of the FCE,” reads the statement.
Article 21, Bribery and corruption reads: “Persons bound by this Code must not offer, promise, give or accept, any personal or undue pecuniary or other advantage in order to obtain or retain business or any other improper advantage to or from anyone within or outside Fifa. Such acts are prohibited, regardless of whether carried out directly or indirectly through, or in conjunction with, intermediaries or related parties as defined in this Code. In particular, persons bound by this Code must not offer, promise, give or accept any undue pecuniary or other advantage for the execution or omission of an act that is related to their official activities and is contrary to their duties or falls within their discretion. Any such offer must be reported to the Ethics Committee and any failure to do so shall be sanctionable in accordance with this Code.”
According to paragraph 3 of the same article, persons bound by this Code must refrain from any activity or behaviour that might give rise to the appearance or suspicion of improper conduct as described in the foregoing sections, or any attempt thereof.
However, Fifa said until a formal decision is taken by the adjudicatory chamber of the Ethics Committee, the trio are presently presumed innocent.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter