THE Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) is clutching at straws as they seemingly continue to defy FIFA orders following Zimbabwe’s suspension from international football with immediate effect on Thursday.
Zimbabwe was slapped with an immediate ban over the government’s interference due to the SRC’s undue influence in the affairs of local football.
In particular, the recent suspension of the ZIFA Board by SRC Chairman Gerald Mlotshwa on frivolous allegations of corruption irked FIFA.
Despite numerous calls for SRC to reconsider their position, Mlotshwa instead boasted that he would not budge and continues to do so.
However, Mlotshwa continues to make a mockery of FIFA.
“Correspondence from FIFA, dated the 24th instant, addressed to the suspended ZIFA General Secretary purporting to suspend the Country’s national football association as a member of the FIFA ‘family’ is noted,” wrote Mlotshwa this morning.
Among the conditions set by FIFA for the reintegration of Zimbabwe back into global football, the family is the lifting of the ZIFA board’s suspension.
“In essence, it appears that the provisions of its statutes constrain FIFA to protect certain of the undoubted sexual predators, fraudsters and corrupt administrators at the helm of football administration in Zimbabwe.
“All this in the name of shielding ZIFA from, to quote FIFA in its letter “…undue interference from a third party”.
“It is a fact that some of these administrators are facing, among other things, charges of sexual harassment, bribery, fraud and general corruption before Zimbabwe’s Courts. FIFA has the full details of these matters.”
It is clear that FIFA has interpreted these very serious charges as ‘mere allegations’, notwithstanding its “…zero-tolerance policy towards corruption, sexual abuse and any other unethical conduct”. Both FIFA and CAF are fully aware of an insidious culture of sexual harassment perpetrated against female football referees in Zimbabwe.”
Mlotshwa said Zimbabwe is in no hurry to return to FIFA, and instead, the domestic league will forge ahead under the auspices of SRC.
“For the eighteen months elapsed since these allegations were brought to their respective attention, neither body has initiated any tangible investigation focused on culprits whose names are known to them,” he added.
“The instances of fraud and corruption within the corridors of ZIFA have also been brought to the attention of FIFA, who have placed on record their extreme reluctance to involve themselves in remedying this deplorable state of affairs.
“The SRC has a documented and demonstrable “zero tolerance policy towards corruption, sexual abuse and any other unethical conduct” in the administration of sport in Zimbabwe. It does not pay mere lip service to the same. We, at the SRC, act decisively within the confines of the laws of Zimbabwe, in particular the Sports & Recreation Commission Act as well as the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act.”
He said the SRC would not bend sideways to accommodate FIFA statutes that they disagree with.
“FIFA statutes are not a part of the laws of Zimbabwe. Conversely, ZIFA, and indeed all other national sports associations in the country, are subject to the laws of Zimbabwe. For this reason, they, and their respective constitutions, are registered with the SRC. FIFA recognizes ZIFA as the sole governing body for football administration in Zimbabwe by its registration with the SRC,” Mlotshwa said.
“It is on this basis, and it is admitted as a member of the “FIFA Family” by FIFA. It suffices to quote, for the time being, a perceptive message received from CAF President Patrice Motsepe: –
“….We remain committed to finding a solution that respects the sovereignty and legal issues that you raised and is under the statutes and regulations
“Pending any such compromise, the ZIFA Executive Committee and the General Secretary shall remain suspended. The various matters pending before the Courts in Zimbabwe shall continue, as shall the criminal proceedings and other actions focused on restructuring football in our country. Domestic football will continue in Zimbabwe. The SRC will support it fully, as has been the demonstrable case thus far.
ZIFA will return to the “FIFA Family” when it is in a condition fit to do so.”
