adminLast month Zifa threw a lifeline to almost 70 suspended players and officials by giving them an option to pay fines.
Between 2007 and 2010, the Warriors were involved in matches played in Bulgaria, Asia and Africa. All the games were organised by Asian betting and match-fixing masterminds.
The players had their suspensions commuted to fines ranging from $1 000 to $7 000 depending on one’s involvement in the games according to the findings of two committees, one led by Ndumiso Gumede and the other by Justice Ahmed Ebrahim.
In a telephone interview from Harare yesterday, the Zifa chief executive officer Jonathan Mashingaidze said there was no going back on Monday’s deadline and whoever failed to pay the fine would serve the suspension.
“There is no going back on Asiagate and those that are expected to pay their fines have to do so by Monday. To players, this is about life and we are aware that there are other people who have been misinforming the players urging them not pay saying Zifa will give in.
“Those people are lying to them and if they (players) don’t pay their fines, they will serve the suspensions,” said Mashingaidze.
The Footballers Union of Zimbabwe is one organisation that has publicly declared that they will represent the players when they appeal against the sentences.
Some players have paid their fines but Mashingaidze could not be drawn into revealing names of those who have paid.
“We will deal with those that are ill-advising the players. Fuz do not have jurisdiction on this matter and the players just have to pay the fines or risk not playing football.
“Some clubs have infact paid on behalf of their players which is a positive move for the players and football. The clubs’ co-operation is welcome and we hope others will follow suit,” said Mashingaidze.
According to media reports, Caps United and FC Platinum are some of the clubs that have paid for their players.
Asiagate tainted FC Platinum players are Ali Sadiki, captain Zephaniah Ngodzo, goalkeeper Tafadzwa Dube, ex-Njube Sundowns and Dynamos midfielder Thabani Kamusoko and defender Khumbulani Banda, Daniel Veremu and Tsungai Mudzamiri.
Caps United president Twine Phiri is said to have forked out a total of $9 000 to save the quartet of Tendai Samanja, Asani Nhongo, Charles Chiutsa and Nqobile Mpala.
Samanja, Nhongo and Chiutsa were found guilty of taking part in fixed matches in Malaysia and Tunisia in 2010 during their tenure at Monomotapa. They were part of the squad that masqueraded as the national team in Asia and played wearing a blue and white kit purporting to be Warriors.
The trio had their one-year bans suspended on condition that they pay $2 000 each.
Mpala, the former Highlanders and University of Pretoria striker was given an option to pay $3 000 or face a three year suspension for his involvement at the Cecafa tournament in Kenya in 2009.
Mashingaidze said they were looking forward to finalising the Asiagate saga before the start of the New Year.
Zimbabwe’s world rankings plummeted between 2007 and 2010 when the Warriors played in tournaments chiefly in Asia to lose matches. These were organised by match-fixing and betting syndicates with headquarters in Singapore which were spearheaded by Wilson Raj Perumal who has served time for offences in Finland.
Perumal has turned a witness and is being kept in a safe house in Hungary where he is helping Fifa and Interpol in their investigations.
“We do not want to go on with this thing. The ruling was made and now we must focus on other things meant to take our football to greater heights. Everyone is aware of the damage which was done to national football but it’s time to move on,” said Mashingaidze.
The cash-strapped Zifa stands to bag $128 000 in fines.
Full list
(Name, Tournament, Position, Sentence)
1. Solomon Mugavazi, Malaysia, Monomotapa FC, Official, Five (5)years
2. Luke Masomere, Vietnam, Former National Team Coach, Two (2) years
3. Methembe Ndlovu, China, Former National U-20 Coach, Two (2) years
4. Lloyd Maungwa, Thailand and Malaysia Former Senior National Team physiotherapist, One (1) year wholly suspended for two (2) years
5. Dr Sachikonye, Thailand and Malaysia, Former Senior National Men’s Team Doctor, One (1) year wholly suspended for two (2) years
6. Norman Mapeza Cecafa, Kenya, Former Senior National Men’s Team Coach, Six (6) Months
7. Nyasha Mushekwi, Thailand and Malaysia, Former National Team Player, One (1) year wholly suspended.
8. Washington Arubi, Thailand and Malaysia, Former National Team Player, One (1) year wholly suspended.
9. Ernest Sibanda, Malaysia, Former Senior National Team’s Manager, Five (5) years wholly suspended.
10. Joseph Antipas, Thailand and Malaysia, Former Senior National Team Coach, Five (5) years wholly suspended.
11. Godfrey Mangove, Malaysia and Tunisia, Player One (1) year wholly suspended on condition that a fine of US $ 2 000 is paid by 31st December 2012.
12. Daniel Zokoto, Malaysia and Tunisia, Player, One (1) year wholly suspended on condition that a fine of $2 000 is paid by 31st December 2012.
13. Daniel Kamunhenga, Malaysia and Tunisia, Player, One (1) year wholly suspended on condition that a fine of $2 000 is paid by 31st December 2012.
14. Tendai Gwata, Malaysia and Tunisia, Player, One (1) year wholly suspended on condition that a fine of $2 000 is paid by 31st December 2012.
15. Tapiwa Mapfunga, Malaysia and Tunisia, Player, One (1) year wholly suspended on condition that a fine of $2 000 is paid by 31st December 2012.
16. Charles Chiutsa, Malaysia and Tunisia, Player, One (1) year wholly suspended on condition that a fine of $2 000 is paid by 31st December 2012.
17. Abel Chimusara, Malaysia and Tunisia, Player, One (1) year wholly suspended on condition that a fine of $2000 is paid by 31st December 2012.
18. Brian Mapfumo, Malaysia and Tunisia, Player, One (1) year wholly suspended on condition that a fine of $2 000 is paid by 31st December 2012.
19. Vorster Chitema, Malaysia and Tunisia, Player, One (1) year wholly suspended on condition that a fine of $2 000 is paid by 31st December 2012.
20. Mackay Kawashu, Malaysia and Tunisia, Player, One (1) year wholly suspended on condition that a fine of $2 000 is paid by 31st December 2012.
21. Lawrence Mdhluli, Malaysia and Tunisia, Player, One (1) year wholly suspended on condition that a fine of $2 000 is paid by 31st December 2012.
22. Luckmore Simango, Malaysia and Tunisia, Player, One (1) year wholly suspended on condition that a fine of $2 000 is paid by 31st December 2012.
23. Tendai Samanja, Malaysia and Tunisia, Player, One (1) year wholly suspended on condition that a fine of $2 000 is paid by 31st December 2012.
24. Asani Nhongo, Malaysia and Tunisia, Player, One (1) year wholly suspended on condition that a fine of $2 000 is paid by 31st December 2012.
25. Christopher Samakweri Malaysia and Tunisia Player One (1) year wholly suspended on condition that a fine of $2 000 is paid by 31st December 2012.
26. Eusebio Manuwere, Vietnam Tour, Player, One Year wholly suspended on condition that a fine of $3 000 is paid by 31st December 2012.
27. Mtshumayeli Moyo, Vietnam Tour, Player, One Year wholly suspended on condition that a fine of $3 000 is paid by 31st December 2012.
28. Lionel Mtizwa, Vietnam Tour, Player, One year wholly suspended on condition that a fine of $ 3 000 is paid by 31st December 2012.
29. Johannes Ngodzo, Vietnam Tour, Player, One year wholly suspended on condition that a fine of $3 000 is paid by 31st December 2012.
30. Johannes Ngodzo, Merdeca Tournament, Player, One (1) year wholly suspended on condition that a fine of $1 000 is paid by 31st December 2012.
31. Tsungai Mudzamiri, Merdeca Tournament, Player, One (1) year wholly suspended on condition that a fine of $1 000 is paid by 31st December 2012.
32. Ramson Zhuwawo, Merdeca Tournament, Player, One (1) year wholly suspended on condition that a fine of $1 000 is paid by 31st December 2012.
33. Ali Sadiki, Merdeca, Tournament, Player, One (1) year wholly suspended on condition that a fine of $1 000 is paid by 31st December 2012.
34. Lionel Mtizwa, Merdeca Tournament, Player, One (1) year wholly suspended on condition that a fine of $1 000 is paid by 31st December 2012.
35. Philip Marufu, Merdeca Tournament, Player, One (1) year wholly suspended on condition that a fine of $1 000 is paid by 31st December 2012.
36. Beaven Chikaka, Merdeca Tournament, Player, One (1) year wholly suspended on condition that a fine of $1 000 is paid by 31st December 2012.
37. Progress Mutepfa, Merdeca Tournament, Player, One (1) year wholly suspended on condition that a fine of $1 000 is paid by 31st December 2012.
38. Eusebia Manuwere, Merdeca Tournament, Player, One (1) year wholly suspended on condition that a fine of $1 000 is paid by 31st December 2012.
39. Edward Tembo, Merdeca Tournament, Player, One (1) year wholly suspended on condition that a fine of $1000 is paid by 31st December 2012.
40. Menard Mupera, Merdeca Tournament, Player, One (1) year wholly suspended on condition that a fine of $1 000 is paid by 31st December 2012.
41. Mtshumayeli Moyo, Merdeca Tournament, Player, One (1) year wholly suspended on condition that a fine of $1 000 is paid by 31st December 2012.
42. Benjamin Marere, Thailand and Malaysia, Player, One (1) year wholly suspended on condition that a fine of $2 000 is paid by 31st December 2012.
43. George Karimapfumbi, Thailand and Malaysia, Player One (1) year wholly suspended on condition that a fine of $2 000 is paid by 31st December 2012.
44. George Magariro, Thailand and Malaysia, Player One (1) year wholly suspended on condition that a fine of $2 000 is paid by 31st December 2012.
45. Gilbert Mapemba, Thailand and Malaysia, Player, One (1) year wholly suspended on condition that a fine of $2 000 is paid by 31st December 2012.
46. Philip Marufu, Thailand and Malaysia, Player, One (1) year wholly suspended on condition that a fine of $2 000 is paid by 31st December 2012.
47. Ashley Rambanepasi, Thailand and Malaysia, Player, One (1) year wholly suspended on condition that a fine of $2 000 is paid by 31st December 2012.
48. Tafadzwa Rusike, Thailand and Malaysia, Player, One (1) year wholly suspended on condition that a fine of $2 000 is paid by 31st December 2012.
49. Daniel Vheremu, Thailand and Malaysia, Player, One (1) year wholly suspended on condition that a fine of $2 000 is paid by 31st December 2012.
50. Ramson Zhuwawo, Thailand and Malaysia, Player, One (1) year wholly suspended on condition that a fine of $2 000 is paid by 31st December 2012.
51. Artwell Mukandi, Cecafa-Kenya, Player, Three (3) years wholly suspended on condition that a fine of $3 000 is paid by 31st December 2012.
52. Tafadzwa Dube, Cecafa-Kenya, Player, Three (3) years wholly suspended on condition that a fine of $3 000 is paid by 31st December 2012
53. Zephania Ngodzo, Cecafa-Kenya, Player, Three (3) years wholly suspended on condition that a fine of $3 000 is paid by 31st December 2012.
54. Ndumiso Khanye, Cecafa-Kenya, Player, Three (3) years wholly suspended on condition that a fine of $3 000 is paid by 31st December 2012.
55. Casper Machona Cecafa-Kenya, Player, Three (3) years wholly suspended on condition that a fine of $3 000 is paid by 31st December 2012.
56. Ocean Mushure, Cecafa-Kenya, Player, Three (3) years wholly suspended on condition that a fine of $3 000 is paid by 31st December 2012.
57. Khumbulani Banda, Cecafa-Kenya, Player, Three (3) years wholly suspended on condition that a fine of $3 000 is paid by 31st December 2012.
58. Lionel Mtizwa, Cecafa-Kenya, Player, Three (3) years wholly suspended on condition that a fine of $3 000 is paid by 31st December 2012.
59. Brian Mapfumo, Cecafa-Kenya, Player, Three (3) years wholly suspended on condition that a fine of $3 000 is paid by 31st December 2012.
60. Thabani Kamusoko, Cecafa-Kenya, Player, Three (3) years wholly suspended on condition that a fine of $3 000 is paid by 31st December 2012.
61. Tapiwa Mangezi, Cecafa-Kenya, Player, Three (3) years wholly suspended on condition that a fine of $3 000 is paid by 31st December 2012
62. Nicholas Alifandika, Cecafa-Kenya, Player, Three (3) years wholly suspended on condition that a fine of $3 000 is paid by 31st December 2012.
63. William Kupera, Cecafa-Kenya, Player, Three (3) years wholly suspended on condition that a fine of $3 000 is paid by 31st December 2012
64. Daniel Kamhunhenga, Cecafa-Kenya, Player, Three (3) years wholly suspended on condition that a fine of $3 000 is paid by 31st December 2012.
65. Nqobile Mpala, Cecafa-Kenya, Player, Three (3) years wholly suspended on condition that a fine of $3 000 is paid by 31st December 2012
66. Tawanda Nyamadzawo, Cecafa-Kenya, Player, Three (3) years wholly suspended on condition that a fine of $3 000 is paid by 31st December 2012.
67. Qadir Amini, Bulgaria Tour, Player, Two (2) years wholly suspended on condition that a fine of $2 000 is paid by 31st December 2012.
68. Tawanda Mandicha, Bulgaria Tour, Player, Two (2) years wholly suspended on condition that a fine of $2 000 is paid by 31st December 2012
69. Augustine Mbara, Bulgaria Tour, Player, Two (2) years wholly suspended on condition that a fine of $2 000 is paid by 31st December 2012.
70. Artwell Mukandi, Bulgaria Tour, Player, Two (2) years wholly suspended on condition that a fine of $2 000 is paid by 31st December 2012.
Online Reporter