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Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
FIFA have seemingly handed Zimbabwe a lifeline to clear the problematic Valinhos debt by indicating that Zifa can still access the $300,000 grant that is given to all associations involved in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers. On January 30, 2015, Fifa general secretary Jerome Valcke wrote to all member associations advising them that the world football governing body’s executive committee had approved a once-off payment of $300,000 for countries participating in the 2018 Fifa World Cup qualifiers.
“This special additional support of $300,000 may be used by member associations to cover expenses (transport, accommodation, meals, etc.) related to the participation of their teams in the 2018 Fifa World Cup and/or to cover expenses related to qualifiers for other international Fifa competitions (U-17, U-20, Futsal or Beach Soccer World Cups) taking place in 2015 and 2016,” reads part of the letter.
“Payment will be made in a single transfer of $300,000 to your member association’s specific (development programme) bank account and will be included in the 2015 annual audit of Fifa development programmes (and subsequent years, depending on how the funds are used),” wrote Valcke.
However, Fifa yesterday said Zifa can still access the money, despite their World Cup expulsion, and use it for any other purpose, as long as they convince the world football body on their reasons for diverting the money.
Said a Fifa spokesperson David Noemi in a response to a Chronicle Sport inquiry yesterday: “As per circular 1472 and the respective annex, the additional support of $300,000 can also be used for the preliminary or final round of any Fifa competition taking place in 2015 or 2016. Therefore, following the disqualification of Zifa from the 2018 Fifa World Cup preliminary competition, it’s their duty to inform Fifa and to obtain Fifa’s validation on how the funds are intended to be used. Should validation be provided, the use of the funds will be monitored as part of the local audit framework to ensure their utilisation in conformity with the new agreed purpose”.
The only major Fifa-run football tournament next year is the summer Olympics in Brazil where the Young Warriors are still in line for qualification.
The Young Warriors have to overcome South Africa to qualify for the African Championships in Senegal to be held in December this year where the top three teams will automatically qualify for the Brazil Olympics.
Zimbabwe were ejected from the football jamboree after failing to settle a $67,000 Valinhos debt that has since ballooned to $81,000 due to legal costs.
The draw for the qualifiers will be conducted tomorrow evening in the Russian city of St Petersburg.
Online Reporter