Andrew
Online Reporter
IN what may be viewed as a major climb down by the suspended Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) board, the association has finally decided against a confrontational approach in their engagement with the Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC).
The ZIFA board was suspended by the SRC on November 16, 2021 for “gross maladministration”, but events took a twist last week, when the board claimed that they had resumed normal operations, basing on an appeal they lodged with the Administrative Court.
The appeal was however not supported by three members of the board, namely Sugar Chagonda, Farai Jere and Barbra Chikosi.
Interestingly, the suspended board, in a letter on Wednesday, made a U-turn and advised that they were now going to abide by the SRC’s directive.
It effectively means the ZIFA Board has now conceded that they are suspended by the SRC, despite the appeal with the Administrative Court.
The board has however taken the decision with some reservations.
“The ZIFA board wishes to inform the nation that, following the lodging of its appeal with the Administrative Court, which by operation of law suspended the SRC decision to suspend permanently (dismiss) the ZIFA board and the subsequent resumption of duty by the board as shared in our previous press statement of 3 December 2021, the SRC has since directed that the board remains suspended despite the appeal, in complete disregard and disobedience to the laws of Zimbabwe.
“While the ZIFA Board is totally convinced that its appeal did suspend the SRC decision, it cannot however be involved in physical confrontation with the regulator (SRC).
“As such, the ZIFA Board advises the nation that, in order to avoid unnecessary drama, it shall for now take a back seat until guidance from FIFA has been received, full prosecution of the Admin Court appeal or as and when the SRC decides to obey the laws of the land, whichever will come first,” reads part of the letter.
Online Reporter