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ZIFA appear to have been infuriated by reports that Harare City have engaged media consultant, Hope Chizuzu, as a member of their executive and given him a role in their communications department.
Chizuzu, a former Monomotapa club official, is now employed by the City of Harare.
The former sports journalist attended the quarter-final and semi-final draw of the Mbada Diamonds Cup.
Zifa insist that Chizuzu is banned from all football activities for his alleged role in the Asiagate scandal although his ban is yet to be endorsed, or thrown out, by Fifa.
Chizuzu did not challenge his ban, when Zifa opened an appeal avenue, opting to have his fate determined by Fifa who are yet to close the chapter on the saga — exactly a year after the sanctions were pronounced.
The Asiagate saga has created its world record, in terms of the time that Fifa takes to either endorse or throw out such punishments, and a year after sanctions were handed out, the case is still hanging.
Interestingly, the doping case involving Zimbabwe international, Devon Chafa, which emerged way later after the Asiagate saga broke, has already been concluded by Fifa.
“Zimbabwe Football Association would like to register its displeasure over the involvement of some banned Asiagate match-fixers in football events,” the association’s communications manager, Xolisani Gwesela, said in a statement.
“The Association would like to categorically declare that it takes great exception to such growing dubious distinction and shall invoke sections of Football statutes to deal with such mischief makers.
“We have written letters to our affiliate, Premier Soccer League registering our disgust over the presence of these banned match-fixers in football events.
“As an association, we are reliably informed that one Premier Soccer League Club has conscripted a banned match-fixer-cum-journalist into its ranks. Such behaviour is not only undesirable, but a flagrant disregard of football statutes. We shall deal ruthlessly with all people bent on bringing the game of football into disrepute.
“The architects of match -fixing will be flushed out of the game without fear or favour.
“The Zimbabwe Football Association has adopted a 24/7 surveillance policy on all Football activities to protect the beautiful game from football dinosaurs. Match-fixers are not allowed anyway near football, be in stadiums or football functions.
“We have also enlisted the services of Law enforcement agents, the Zimbabwe Republic Police to assist us in our football activities and all matches from these unrepentant and unpatriotic vultures.
“Consequently, banned individuals who are defying our directive to desist from involving themselves in football events will face the full wrath of the law. It is our responsibility to preserve the sacrosanct values of the game.”
While Zifa appear to be giving the impression that they are taking a firm stance on this issue, once again conveniently turning to Asiagate to deflect attention from the problems that have seen property being attached at their offices and a bus belonging to the Warriors’ Trust being auctioned on Wednesday, a lot of grey areas remain.
In January and February this year, Zimbabwean football fans watched as Method Mwanjali, who is banned from all football activities by Zifa, played for his old club Mamelodi Sundowns in two friendly matches against Highlanders and CAPS United at Barbourfields and Gwanzura.
Online Reporter