Four players stuck in transfer-mix

Sports Reporter

ZIFA have pledged to step in and settle a transfer dispute involving four players who have been sidelined since the beginning of August.

This follows demands by the Footballers Union of Zimbabwe (FUZ) for the immediate registration of Miguel Feldman, Everson Feremba, Malven Madzuka, and Nkosiyabo Masilela.

The quartet has been rendered inactive because ZIFA have been lethargic in their approach to the matter, which appears to be in breach of FIFA statutes.

FUZ were expecting ZIFA to have registered the players by now.

Feldman joined Chicken Inn while the duo of Feremba and Madzuka moved to Northern Region Soccer League side MWOS FC from rivals Black Rhinos.

Masilela is yet to kick the ball for Premiership returnees TelOne.

ZIFA chief executive Yvonne Mapika Manwa maintained that her association would ensure the players’ interests are protected.

The association should, however, take some flak for failing to set up a Dispute Resolution Chamber, which should have been handling such cases.

“We will look into the matter.

“All we want is to protect the interests of the players,” Manwa said.

In a letter written to ZIFA on August 15, FUZ demanded the urgent registration of the quartet had a just cause to terminate their contracts with their previous clubs.

“As you are well aware we have been communicating telephonically and had physical meetings with you and your office for the past three weeks as to regards the pending registration of the above-mentioned players who have since moved to TelOne FC, Chicken Inn FC, and MWOS Fc respectively after the player terminated their contracts with just cause,” wrote FUZ.

“And you had assured us that the players will be cleared by ZIFA since the clubs concerned deliberately refused to accept the request in the Domestic Transfer System.

“However, your office has not initiated nor cleared the players to play for their respective clubs whom they have signed contracts with and they have already missed 2-4 league games.

“For the avoidance of doubt please be advised that by the RSTP Article 14 as read (14.1, in the case of a club unlawfully failing to pay a player at least two monthly salaries on their due dates, the player will be deemed to have a just cause to terminate his contract, provided that he has put the debtor club in default in writing and has granted a deadline of at least 15 days for the debtor club to fully comply with its financial obligation(s).”

FUZ also argued that the players in question followed procedures and are allowed to move and be registered with other clubs.

The union is against the matter being dragged to the Players’ Status Committee or any sitting “as we have stated that as far as we are concerned no club officially filed a claim of dispute against the players at ZIFA for it to be re-garded as a case to be determined by the Committee.”

FUZ also stated that the Northern Region Soccer League had no jurisdiction over Feremba and Madzuka “as this is a case to be dealt with by ZIFA”.