Fifa warn Zimbabwe government

World governing body Fifa have warned the Zimbabwe government over its threats to dissolve the Zimbabwe Football Association (Zifa) board warning that the country will face severe sanctions if they carry out the threat.

Last week Sport, Arts and Culture Deputy Minister Tabetha Kanengoni-Malinga told Parliament that her ministry was considering disbanding the association’s leadership regardless of the consequences that would see Fifa ban Zimbabwe.

“It is true that as a ministry we are not happy with the way ZIFA is running football affairs. In terms of Fifa regulations, we should not be seen interfering. Our view as Government is that it is better that we are suspended as a country as we clean up the mess at ZIFA,” Kanengoni-Malinga said.

“When we complete serving the suspension, we will return to international football at a time when we would have strengthened our systems. We will not be the first country to be suspended; that has been done to other countries after they felt that it was better to intervene to strengthen their football,” she said.

Over the weekend Fifa warned that they would not hesitate to ban Zimbabwe from international football. Secretary-general Jerome Valcke wrote to Zifa chair Cuthbert Dube and copied the letter to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) following the reports.

“We have learnt from media reports that the Zimbabwean authorities have supposedly discussed the possibility to disband the board of the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA)

“Should the allegations prove to be true, we would like to remind you that according to articles 13 and 17 of the Fifa statutes, ZIFA has to manage its affairs independently and with no influence by any third parties. Failure to do so would be considered as a violation of the FIFA statutes and ZIFA would be subject to sanctions, including a suspension.

‘‘In addition, the suspension would only be lifted once the status quo would be restored.

“Lastly, a suspension would mean that all FIFA member associations would not entertain sporting contacts with ZIFA and that ZIFA would not benefit from any program or financial assistance from Fifa and CAF.

“We thank you to inform the interested parties accordingly and to provide us with a report on the situation as soon as possible,’’ wrote Valcke.