FC Platinum escape Juan Mutudza points docking

Philemon Jambaya

FC Platinum survived a major after Herentals withdrew the case it had placed before the Zimbabwe Football Association’s Player Status Committee accusing them of using their player, Juan Mutudza, illegally.

Mutudza reportedly still had a year on his contract with the Innocent Benza-owned side coming from a two-year-long loan spell at Dynamos when he started featuring at Mandava stadium.

He was involved in over 15 league wins for the Zvishavane-based side. He also featured in FC Platinum’s 2-0 Castle Challenge Cup win at Mandava Stadium last Saturday.

Dynamos had also been sucked in the case, with sources revealing the club had cleared him “to join any team of his choice” despite having knowledge he was still a Herentals player.

If FC Platinum had been found guilty and the Dynamos’ 2003 precedence used as judgment, it would definitely have lost last season’s championship and possibly been relegated.

In 2003, Dynamos were docked three points after using Edmore Mufema in a match against Lancashire Steel when he was still being contracted to Motor Action.

DeMbare went on to lose the title to Amazulu by three points.