adminPetros Kausiyo Deputy Sports Editor
LESLIE GWINDI will be eligible to stand in the Zifa elections if he overturns his suspension or meets the conditions set out in the five-year ban slapped on him. Zifa’s disciplinary committee on Tuesday handed Gwindi a five-year-ban for bringing the game into disrepute following his public utterances in which he allegedly denigrated Zifa, the Premier Soccer League and their sponsors Delta Beverages.
The Harare City chairman was handed a five-year ban after being convicted by the Zifa disciplinary committee chaired by former magistrate Andrew Musengezi .
Gwindi, however, had parts of the sentence set aside for various conditions which the Sunshine Boys’ chairman would have to meet.
Last night Zifa lawyer Ralph Maganga said despite being convicted by the disciplinary committee, Gwindi would be eligible to stand in any elections under the auspices of the association.
Gwindi has been reported to be one of the people eyeing the Zifa presidency at the association’s elections next month.
Maganga said Gwindi would have been deemed to have served his term if he meets all the conditions set out in his judgment.
The Harare lawyer also clarified that only those convicted of a criminal offence in the courts of law would be ineligible to stand in the Zifa elections.
“If he satisfies the conditions of the ruling, it will be equivalent to having served his sentence so he becomes eligible but if he chooses to default on one of the conditions then the alternative sentence will come into effect.
“Gwindi’s case was handled by a Zifa tribunal and it is not a criminal offence so once he complies with the judgment he will be free to stand in any of the elections under the association,’’ Maganga said.
Gwindi yesterday said he would only be in a position to discuss his plan of action after consulting with his lawyer Charles Chinyama.
“I am meeting with my lawyer this evening because I have not had sight of the judgment. I was not at the meeting when the ruling was passed so I want to have a look at it first, discuss with my lawyer and chart the way forward.
“I am sure by tomorrow I will be in a position to give a full response on the matter,’’ Gwindi said.
The disciplinary committee whose other members include former referee Wilfred Mukuna and lawyers Wilbert Mandinde, Musekiwa Mbanje and Watson Muchengeti ruled that one year would be suspended on condition that Gwindi pays a fine of US$6 000 within a fortnight of the judgment.
Another one year was also set aside on condition that Gwindi publicly apologises to Zifa, the PSL and the league’s sponsors.
The disciplinary committee also set aside three years on condition that Gwindi is not found guilty of bringing the game into disrepute in the next five years. This means Gwindi could be suspended for an effective two years in the event that he fails to meet the conditions set by the disciplinary committee inside the next two weeks.
Gwindi might also not need to pay the fine if he successfully appeals against both conviction and sentence.
Online Reporter