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ZIFA lawyer, Chenaimoyo Gumiro, says the Sports Commission’s decision to oust the association’s leadership was based on flawed allegations and conclusions.
This followed the decision by the SRC to review the allegations against the ZIFA board and reduce the charges from seven to one.
The SRC have now zeroed in on one charge in which they accuse the ousted leadership of failing to account for funds they received, from the Government, for the Warriors’ 2019 AFCON finals in Egypt.
They claim ZIFA have also failed to provide information, in the past two years, about how they used the public funds.
The SRC are also demanding to know where the funds, which ZIFA used to charter a plane for some fans and Councillors, were secured from.
Gumiro last night told ZBC the charges against the association leadership were baseless because the SRC had not indicated where his clients breached national interest.
He said the SRC first needed to define national interest and advise ZIFA that by acting in such a manner the board were in contravention of national interest.
Only then, said Gumiro, could the ZIFA board be censured.
But, the SRC appear unmoved and, according to their chairman, Gerald Mlotshwa, they are going ahead with the next phase of the exercise.
This will see the appointment of a caretaker committee to take charge of domestic football and Mlotshwa said they will involve many stakeholders, including CAF and FIFA.
“The process of appointing an interim committee is a consultative and procedural one; involving various stakeholders, not least sponsors, CAF and FIFA itself,’’ Mlotshwa said in an update.
“There must be integrity in the process.
“These discussions are on-going, and are encouraging. There is engagement and it is positive. We all want to do what is best for football.
“The continuation of football is not subject to the appointment of an interim committee. If there is that thinking, then that thought process is symptomatic of the governance deficiencies obtaining within ZIFA structures.
“There is an acting General Secretary at ZIFA and that person should be directing the Secretariat.
“If he is being prevented from doing so, for whatever reason, then those concerns should be brought to the attention of the SRC.’’
On another day of high drama, ZIFA announced that, in consultation with FIFA, they had postponed the referees and referee’s instructor courses, which had been set for this month, until further notice.
“Thirty participants had been drawn from the country’ ten provinces for each of the courses,’’ said ZIFA spokesperson, Xolisano Gwesela, in a statement.
“Participants were meant to undergo high-level theory and practical sessions as well as fitness assessments under the facilitation of renowned FIFA and CAF instructor, Felix Tangawarima.
“ZIFA hopes that the prorogued development programmes will be held soon to enhance the growth of the local game’s refereeing aspect.
“ZIFA is of the conviction that continuous development of referees is critical in raising the quality of Zimbabwean football. Despite the challenges wrought by Covid-19, ZIFA successfully conducted a course for match commissioners last month.’’
The SRC conceded on Tuesday they had been inspired by events in Kenya, where the Government disbanded the country’s football governing body, last week.
Kenyan Sports Minister, Amina Mohamed, reiterated on Wednesday her decision to disband the FKF will stay even after a virtual meeting with FIFA Secretary General, Fatma Samoura.Amina, held on the same day.
Amina said they will hold another meeting with Samoura next week.
“Government’s decision on football management (remains) intact after holding a meeting with FIFA Secretary General Samoura,” she revealed on her Twitter handle.
On Thursday last week, Amina disbanded FKF and formed a caretaker committee led by retired judge Aaron Ringera to take charge of all football activities in Kenya for the next six months. — Sports Reporter/The Nation
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