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Zifa on lookout for local match-fixing

Sport
Zifa is keeping a watchful eye on the proceedings in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) as it enters the home stretch with only four rounds of matches to go in a bid to guard against match- fixing. There have been unconfirmed allegations flying all over in the last three weeks about money changing […]

Zifa is keeping a watchful eye on the proceedings in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) as it enters the home stretch with only four rounds of matches to go in a bid to guard against match- fixing.

There have been unconfirmed allegations flying all over in the last three weeks about money changing hands between clubs and match officials in both the PSL and Division One leagues.

Zifa president Cuthbert Dube said on Monday the association will do everything in its power to stop the rot.

“We are aware that the match-fixing scandal had permeated all strata of our football and we shall stop at nothing to protect our game from the vampires.

“We are keeping a watchful eye on the Premier League, First Division and other leagues to keep our game clean. Be warned, whoever is trying to fix matches, their days are numbered.

“We appreciate that match-fixing and illegal betting is a global cancer that shall forever hound us and at some opportune time, we shall invoke our statutes to cause for the establishment of a permanent Ethics Committee, which shall be one of judicial bodies and our watchdog against match-fixing and betting and other corrupt deeds,” Dube said.

He was speaking at the official commissioning of a six-man committee, the Zifa Independent Ad hoc Disciplinary Committee that will deal with and effectively close the chapter of the Asiagate match-fixing scam. Former Supreme Court judge Justice Ahmed Ebrahim was unveiled as the chairman of the committee.

The other members of the committee are lawyers and author of the book Criminal Procedure in Zimbabwe, John Reid-Rowland, and Tererai Gunje of Chasakara and Gunje law firm.

Former Assistant commissioner Emmanuel Chimwanda and former Sports and Recreation Commission chairman Gibson Mashingaidze are also in the committee.

Former referee and Fifa panelist Kenny Sigoba was also named in the committee. Another legal practitioner, Lewis Uriri, will represent the national association when the committee starts conducting interviews with players, coaches and administrators.

Footballers’ Union of Zimbabwe secretary-general Paul Gundani was also present during the commissioning and will be consulted time and again as players constitute the bulk of the personnel to be interviewed.

The local Premiership, presided over by Twine Phiri, is delicately balanced between leaders FC Platinum who have 49 points, second-placed Dynamos on 48, defending champions Motor Action who have 44 and dark horses Hwange on 43.

Platinum are yet to play Dynamos, while the Harare side has two tricky dates against the Mighty Bulls and Hwange at the Colliery. All the remaining league matches will be played simultaneously.

In the Division One leagues, Quelaton have been promoted from the Southern Region without any suspicious games, Buffaloes are close from the Eastern Region while the North and Central region fixtures are uncompleted.

In the North, Harare City are the leaders with 48, DSTv Rangers are on 47 while Mwana Africa and Black Rhinos are tied on 46 points with one round of matches set for this weekend. A number of games have been abandoned and decided in the boardroom.

In the Central Region, leaders Hardbody have 62 points and have been in the eye of a storm of late after accusing fellow title chasers of corrupt practices. The teams, however, have turned the tables against Hardbody, accusing them of doing the same and an investigation is underway.

Tripple B are closest on 59 points with three games to go and need to win all their remaining games to reach 68 points.

On the other hand, Hardbody need seven points from three games to reach an unassailable 69 points.