The Zimbabwe Sports and Recreation (SRC) has disbanded the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) with immediate effect. In a press statement issued today, the SRC cited gross incompetence on the part of ZIFA among the reasons that led to the decision.“The Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) hereby informs the public that upon extensive consultations and further deliberations on matters relating to the governance and management of football in Zimbabwe, the SRC Board has with immediate effect suspended the ZIFA Board in accordance with the Sports & Recreation Act. This decision has been considered following several incidences of gross incompetence on the part of ZIFA, such conduct and/or omissions being contrary to the national interest, as provided for in terms of Section 30 (1) (c) of the SRC Act,” the statement read.Official statement on the suspension of the ZIFA Board. pic.twitter.com/y9ddRJL7vj— SRC Zimbabwe (@ZimbabweSrc) November 16, 2021 The SRC, a statutory body mandated to regulate and develop sport and recreation in Zimbabwe, also detailed other reasons for the suspension including alleged mismanagement and lack of accountability in the use of public funds, alleged sexual harassment of female referees by key technical staff within ZIFA among other reasons.The announcement comes just days after Kenya also appointed a caretaker committee to manage the operations of Football Kenya Federation (FKF) last week.Amina appoints a caretaker committee to manage FKF affairsIn making the decision, Zimbabwe, same as Kenya, risk the potential of facing a ban should world football governing body FIFA classify the matter as government interference. Should a ban be imposed on them, Zimbabwe will have to give up their place in the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) set to take place in 2022 in Cameroon.SRC chairman Gerald Mlotshwa remained unfazed when it came to the matter of a looming ban and the national team staying out of the continental tournament, saying Zimbabwean football needs a ‘fix’.”If Fifa decides to ban Zimbabwean football we are prepared for that. If it does happen we look at it being a short-term measure. Zimbabwean football needs this opportunity just to fix itself – if we are out of international football for a year, two years, that’s fine. If we are suspended from Afcon next year we are prepared for that, that is fine, we need to deal with football,” he told BBC.The decision came after Khama Billiat announced his retirement from international football and two days after the men’s national team ended their 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign with a 1-1 home draw against Ethiopia and subsequently finished bottom of Group G, which also included Ghana and South Africa, with two points from six games.Khama Billiat has announced his retirement from international football 👋 He scored 17 goals for Zimbabwe, ending his run as the nation’s fifth-highest goalscorer in history 🇿🇼 pic.twitter.com/VWXrmXXrrI— JABULANI XI (@JABULANIXI) November 15, 2021
