Fifa stance on Zim has not changed, say club chair...

Fifa stance on Zim has not changed, say club chairpersons

Philemon Jambaya

The Cosafa Cup will kick off in South Africa next month with Zimbabwe having been recognised during the draw for registering the most wins in the Southern African football tournament but the country’s return to international football remains elusive.

Zimbabwe was suspended from international football after Fifa accused the Sports and Recreation Commission of interfering in football matters.

SRC tabled several allegations against the Felton Kamambo-led executive, which resulted to their suspension.

Zim Now spoke to Premier Soccer League club chairpersons who confirmed Fifa’s stance on Zimbabwe, contrary to reports that the football mother body had changed its stance on Zimbabwe

Some of the chairpersons confirmed to Zim Now Sports that football conditions were set and they are the only way out for Zimbabwe to be readmitted to international football again.

“The delegation had a meeting with PSL chairpersons and some advice was given to them, which includes reinstating Felton Kamambo, reinstating the board, admitting that there was no restructuring committee, withdraw the case of letter heads which is before the courts and the last one is for Kamambo to write to Fifa, acknowledging that the four things have been done,” a Fifa source told Zim Now.

Some PSL sources confirmed these conditions on condition of anonymity for fear of victimisation.

“We had a meeting with Fifa and their stance remains the same, which is no Kamambo, no football and we communicated what transpired within our meeting to SRC as they are the ones who should meet these conditions,” one of the chairpersons told Zim Now.

SRC Director-General Eltah Nengomasha said that she cannot comment on what transpired between Fifa and club chairpersons and she could not give details on the recommendations given by Fifa.

“I do not know what transpired in their meeting so, I do not have any details. I cannot also share the information which we discussed with Fifa. Our communication with Fifa remains confidential,” Nengomasha told Zim Now.

The Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts, and Recreation is expected to give oral evidence to the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee of Youth, Sports, Arts and Recreation tomorrow (Thursday) on the measures taken to ensure the lifting of the ban on football by Fifa.