ZIFA Chief Executive suspended

Sports — By on March 14, 2010 10:10 pm

By Edward Marange

The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) has suspended its Chief Executive Officer Henrietta Rushwaya over an unsanctioned trip by the national team to Asia early this year.

The outgoing ZIFA board met in Masvingo over the weekend and made the decision outgoing chairman Wellington Nyatanga confirmed.

Rushwaya meanwhile says she did not receive anything in writing.

“I have been suspended but there is no formal communication. I am yet to receive the letter informing me of the suspension. I have nothing to comment. I will issue a statement when I get the letter,” she said.

Allegations are that Rushwaya sanctioned the Warriors trip to Malaysia without the consent of the Sport and Recreation Commission – who are meant to sanction all international trips.

Then Premiership League champions Monomotapa donned the national team colours and played in two “international” friendly matches against Malaysia. The team dubbed ‘the fake warriors’ lost 4-0 and 1-0 to the Malaysians.

Malaysian football authorities and the media were under the impression the team led onto the pitch by Rodwell Dhlakama was a national select side. The Malaysian FA even showed local journalists letters from ZIFA stating that they were sending a national team.

Rushwaya’s suspension sets up an intriguing legal minefield with ZIFA elections due in 2 weeks time pitting Nyatanga, Leslie Gwindi, Tapuwa Matangaidze, Cuthbert Dube and Charlie Jones.

Matangaidze, the outgoing Premier Soccer League chairman did not attend the meeting that suspended the ZIFA boss, so did the new chairman Twine Phiri.

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