THE ZIFA Northern Region Division One Soccer League could be thrown into disarray after a Division Two side, Zimasco FC, disputed the promotion of Forrester United into the second-tier division.
REPORT BY HENRY MHARA
Forrester was promoted after finishing top of the Mashonaland Central Division Two league with 70 points, while Zimasco finished as runners-up.
The Zifa Northern Region Division One is already underway with three games having been played so far. However, Zimasco is alleging that Forrester were given a helping hand to their glory by Zifa officials in the region.
Zimasco allege that their decisive match against Guruve FC on November 18 last year was improperly officiated.
In a letter written to Zifa Mashonaland Central a day after the match, in NewsDay’s possession, Zimasco alleged that the referee delayed the start of the match by over an hour, apparently waiting for a match commissioner.
Soccer rules state that if the kick off of the match is delayed by 30 minutes, it should be called off.
“The referee told us that he had received a phone call from Zifa Mashonaland Central Province chairman Maxwell Pfumo that he should delay the the match until the match commissioner arrives. We had no problems with that, but we began to be suspicious when the match commissioner arrived accompanied by Pfumo and Forrester officials, including their coach. They arrived in the same car,” Zimasco patron Stephen Damuputirai told NewsDay Sport yesterday.
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Zimasco further alleges that the referee finished the match after 60 minutes, just after Guruve had scored their third goal to put the scoreline at 3-2.
According to their letter, they had one player sent off while eight were yellow-carded, all under “dubious circumstances”.
When contacted for comment, Pfumo was evasive.
“You can write whatever you want because we solved that issue a long time ago. Those complaints are expected from a team that lost the championship. I don’t fear anything, I’m the son of the soil,” said Pfumo.
In contrast to Pfumo’s assertion, the issue is still raging and is now at Zifa headquarters.
In a letter written to Mashonaland Central, Zifa chief executive officer Jonathan Mashingaidze wants the matter to be addressed.
“Please note that this matter has been pending for far too long and any further delay may compromise the smooth-running of football in both your province and the Northern region (Division One league).
“In that regard, you are advised to accord this matter and the complainant due process in keeping with Zifa’s despute resolution framework. It is clear that the complainant wishes his case to be heard by a disciplinary committee. You are, therefore, expected to deal with this matter expeditiously.”
