Harare – Suspended by FIFA for meddling in the activities of the national football association, Zimbabwe hit back on Friday saying it was right to interfere due to graft and sexual abuse allegations against officials.
Governing body FIFA on Thursday suspended Zimbabwe and Kenya from participating in international football citing government interference in the running of the sport.
Zimbabwe government Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) suspended the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) board in November last year citing various charges including graft, fraud and sexual abuse of female referees.
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FIFA ordered that the board be reinstated by January 3.
The SRC ignored that ultimatum leading to Zimbabwe’s suspension.
The commission’s chairperson Gerald Mlotshwa said in a statement that both FIFA and the Confederation of African Football, were “fully aware of an insidious culture of sexual harassment perpetrated against female referees” by some soccer officials.
Kenya and Zimbabwe SUSPENDED from all football activities by @FIFAcom with immediate effect!!
Here’s the FIFA President Gianni Infantino. ?? pic.twitter.com/suEQUjaTU9
— robertmarawa (@robertmarawa) February 24, 2022
But “it is clear that FIFA has interpreted these very serious charges as ‘mere allegations’,” he said.
He also said FIFA was informed of fraud and corruption prevailing at ZIFA but “placed on record extreme their reluctance” to be involved in rectifying the crisis.
Domestic football will go ahead in the meantime and Zimbabwe will return to FIFA at an appropriate time, he vowed.
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Source: AFP
Picture: Getty Images
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