Zimbabwe scandal may affect South African-based players
Zim scandal may affect SA-based players
Posted: 2012-02-01 15:15
Ten of the 80 players who have been suspended by the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) because of their involvement in a damaging 2009 match-fixing scandal could possibly also be barred from playing for their South African clubs.
On Monday, ZIFA announced a list of 80 players that will no longer be eligible to play for the Zimbabwe national team unless they are able to prove their innocence in a highly-publicised match-fixing scandal that saw players and officials being paid to influence the outcome of matches between 2007 and 2009.
The 10 South African-based players affected by the ban include Method Mwanjali, Lionel Mtizwa (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thomas Sweswe, Willard Katsande, Jimmy Jambo (Kaizer Chiefs), Oscar Machapa, Gilbert Mapemba (Moroka Swallows), Khama Billiat (Ajax Cape Town), Energy Murambadoro (Bidvest Wits) and Kingston Nkatha (Black Leopards).
SAFA CEO Robin Peterson tells KickOff.com that world governing body FIFA would decide on whether the ZIFA ban also means that these players can no longer play for their clubs in South Africa.
“We have not received any written correspondence from ZIFA on this issue,” says Peterson. “My view is that they (ZIFA) cannot bar their South African-based players from playing for the clubs here.
“I, for example, cannot ban May Mahlangu from playing in Sweden because we do not have the power to do that.
“We are waiting for FIFA to make a decision so we cannot say more on the issues. We will take a position in line with the FIFA decision,” adds Peterson.
In Zimbabwe, the scandal – which has caused a huge embarrassment to the country – has already claimed a top football official who was dismissed from her position.

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