ZIFA technical director Nelson Matongorere has been fired.
WELLINGTON TONI,SPORTS EDITOR
Matongorere was suspended last September for his alleged role in the Fifa Balon d’Or voting scandal where he is alleged to have voted as then Zimbabwe captain Tapiwa Kapini for the 2012 awards.
Matongorere then appeared before a disciplinary hearing, whose ruling was seen by this paper yesterday, although he was not immediately available for comment. He denied the charges, saying world football governing body Fifa might have made a mistake. Part of the ruling read: “His conduct indeed tarnished the image of the complainant given the nationwide publication of the scandal and the people entitled to vote were fraudulently disenfranchised. Football is the de facto national sport and it is on its knees financially.
“Sponsorship is its lifeblood and sponsors only associate with organisation who exhibit good corporate governance and transparency. The effect of the respondent’s conduct on the general public must also be considered.
“The fact that the Chief Executive Officer signed the ballot papers only serves to prove that the respondent succeeded in deceiving him, nothing more. The respondent cannot be allowed to now turn around and rely upon that “success” by pleading it is a mitigating factor.
“The offence itself is of a very serious nature as it involves dishonesty. Dishonesty goes to the root of the employer-employee relationship. It must be noted that by his own submission, respondent’s continued employment with the complainant had become untenable given his relationship with his immediate superior, the chief executive officer, but that is beside the point.
“We refuse to be drawn into his personal battle with the chief executive officer.
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“We are mindful of the fact that the SI 15/2006 under s.7 therefore states that in general, disciplinary action in the first place should be educational and corrective and that punitive action should only be taken when the said earlier steps have proved to be ineffective.
“However, the seriousness of the offence and the circumstances in which it was committed which were of the respondent’s own making display a high degree of moral blame worthiness and dictate that no penalty other than dismissal can meet the justice of the case.
“This employer and employee relationship is based on trust which once lost, the relationship can be terminated.
“Accordingly, it is ordered that the respondent be dismissed from complainant’s employ with immediate effect.”
The letter was signed by Andrew Msengezi, a W Mandinde and Wilfred Mukuna.
According to Fifa’s official voting list then, Matongorere voted as Zimbabwe captain Kapini and chose Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo, Gerard Pique of Barcelona and eventual winner Lionel Messi in that order.
Former Zimbabwe coach Rahman Gumbo had Andres Iniesta, Messi and Manchester United striker Robin van Persie while journalist Charles Mabika voted for Ronaldo, Messi and Real Madrid captain and goalkeeper Iker Casillas.
