adminThe pending Centralgate case, as the saga is now referred to, has contributed to the delay of crowning the region’s champions and Zifa is hard pressed to conclude the matter.
Hardbody were docked 42 points for using an irregularly registered player and they appealed against the verdict.
The Zifa Appeals Committee is demanding to be paid sitting fees believed to be around $9 000 before releasing the verdict.
Banda and Hokonya have vehemently denied influencing match results.
Immediately after their suspension, Banda filed a criminal defamation case against former referee Cosmas Nyoni over the matter and the case is before the courts.
Confirming the end of January meeting, Zifa chief executive officer Jonathan Mashingaidze yesterday said the councillors would seek to deal with all outstanding matters.
“The most ideal thing is for all issues to do with these scandals like the Asiagate and the Central Region issue to be dealt with before the season starts.
“The assembly will be briefed on progress made by the committee looking into the Asiagate. As for the Central Region case, the members of the Appeals Committee were out on holiday but we expect the verdict soon so that the Castle Lager Premier
Soccer League people can start planning for the season.
“Another item on the agenda of the extraordinary meeting is the ratification of suspensions, that is of the board members — Banda and Hokonya,” Mashingaidze said.
The Centralgate scam has already seen the Zimbabwe Referees Committee (ZRC) vice-chairperson and Women’s Soccer League secretary-general Samukeliso Silengane and former Fifa referee Nyoni being suspended.
Mashingaidze scoffed at rumours doing rounds that the Appeals Committee had asked for payment of their fees in full before releasing the Hardbody appeal verdict.
He said the delay had nothing to do with payment.
Other issues to be tabled at the extraordinary general meeting include the update on the amendments of the Zifa constitution.
The constitutional committee is made up of legal representatives who include Castle Lager Premier Soccer League board member (competitions) Tawengwa Hara, Harare trio of Cosmas Mukwesha, Chinoda Hove and Timothy Dangamwe.
Zifa councillors are also expected to discuss the roles of Zifa Private Limited, a company that should be dealing with issues of merchandise, advertising as well as soliciting for deals on behalf of the football association. It also runs Zifa properties.
“Zifa has a company that is docile. The constitution should spell out what this company should do so that it serves its purpose. The company has to be conducting commercial business and making sure that national teams are well catered for,” said Mashingaidze.
The assembly, according to a notice sent to councillors, will also have to receive, consider, adopt or otherwise deal with the 2010 audited accounts.
Online Reporter