FIFA orders Magaya to pay US$82k for breaching Brazilian trio’s contracts
Amid ‘endorsement’ from former and active players that football enthusiast Prophet Walter Magaya should become the next ZIFA President, his name has been dragged in the mud, making headlines for the wrong reasons.
This comes after FIFA ordered Prophet Magaya’s owned Yadah FC to pay a whopping US$82 000 for breaching contractual terms with three Brazilians they signed in July 2023.
This heavy fine which is supposed to be settled by 27 July, comes after Yadah failed to honor contractual obligations towards Joao Pedro, Juan Luciano Farias and Pereira De Brito.
The Miracle Boys acquired the South Americans for US$5,000 each.
They made an initial down payment of US$2,500 as agreed upon when the Brazilian athletes arrived in Zimbabwe.
The remaining balance of US$2,500 was due by July 31, 2024.
However, Yadah was yet to settle the amount despite having released the trio at the start of the 2024 season.
This prompted concerns from the players’ camp, believing the club might end up breaking the promise as initially agreed.
As a result, the players’ representatives, decided to escalate the matter to FIFA through the Footballers Union of Zimbabwe (FUZ).
Consequently, FIFA found Yadah guilty and passed the following judgement posted by FUZ on their Facebook page.
“The decision was passed in favour of the players. The club was ordered to pay an amount of $82 000 inclusive of applicable interest per particular date as interest is accumulating every day until full payment is made.
“Facts Of The Matter:
1. The Club failed to pay players salaries.
2. The club breached the contract during the protected period.
3. The club expelled the players from the team and hence prohibited them from working.
4. The players could not find a new job since the termination took place outside of the registration window.
5 As The Law.
FIFA’s competence:
“A contract may be terminated by either party without consequences of any kind (either payment of compensation or imposition of sporting sanctions) where there is just cause.
“Since the players are from Brazil and the Club is in Zimbabwe, the current employment-related dispute has an international dimension. As such, the FfIFA RSTP are applicable to the dispute between the Players and Club and the FIFA DRC is competent.”
Failure to pay the fine by the 27th of July, Yadah risk FIFA sanctions.
These include being banned from conducting player transfers both locally and internationally for a period of three consecutive transfer windows.
