adminTHE Zambian Government has reportedly come to the rescue of the Football Association of Zambia and paid $432 000 to their former national football team coach Dario Bonetti, a move that has averted a possible ban from Fifa. According to Zambia’s Lusaka Times the Government reacted swiftly to pay the Italian his dues following Fifa’s decision to expel Zimbabwe from the 2018 World Cup preliminary round over a $67 000 debt owed to former coach, Jose Claudinei Georgini popularly known as Valinhos.
Bonetti was in charge of Chipolopolo from July 2010 to October 2011 and was sacked with nine months left on his deal, despite Zambia qualifying for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations.
The former coach had reportedly lodged a complaint with Fifa against FAZ and a hearing was set for August.
Fifa had set August 2015 for a disciplinary hearing after Zambia defied a Fifa Court of arbitration which ruled that Bonneti should be paid what he was owed.
Zambia’s sports minister Vincent Mwale was quoted telling parliament: “The Football Association of Zambia (Faz) decided to terminate Bonetti’s contract without prior consultation with the Ministry of Youth and Sport. According to FAZ, the coach was handpicked and was not screened for international experience and African experience.
“The FAZ president (Kalusha Bwalya) had said that the players had complained about Bonetti’s poor football knowledge and lack of respect for players. In order for the country not to suffer Fifa sanctions, which could entail the country not being able to participate in international tournaments, the ministry requested for intervention from the treasury for special funding to quickly settle the issue.”
Although Fifa imposed the ban on Zimbabwe, the country has been given an opportunity to settle the debt with Valinhos after which the international football body will consider rescinding the judgment.
Zifa was reportedly paid $65 000 last week by its affiliate, the Premier Soccer League but the amount has risen to more than $80 000 due to interest and legal fees. The country had asked the Cuthbert Dube-led Zifa to find a solution to the crisis.
According to the Lusaka Times, Mwale says the reasons given by FAZ for terminating Bonneti’s contract was because the Italian was handpicked and was not screened for international experience.
He says that Bonneti was also disrespectful to the FAZ executive and that players protested against his poor style of football.
Faz general secretary George Kasengele told BBC Sport his association is delighted the Bonetti case is over.
“This is a matter that is now beyond us and as an association we are happy we no longer owe him. Owing people has its own consequences,” Kasengele said.
He added that he hoped the government would also settle salary arrears owed to Patrice Beaumelle, another former Chipolopolo coach who has been threatening to report the matter to Fifa. – Sports Reporter-Times of Zambia.
Online Reporter