WORLD soccer governing body Fifa has cleared Rodreck Mutuma to rejoin Dynamos and the former Bloemfontein Celtic striker will be available for selection for Sunday’s tie against Shabanie Mine at Maglas Stadium. TAWANDA TAFIRENYIKA
There has been confusion over the status of the player with the Premier Soccer League (PSL) requesting clarification from Zifa on his eligibility to be registered as a free agent after he was released by Celtic.
The local soccer mother body in turn wrote to Fifa also seeking a way forward.
Although Zifa declined to divulge the response they got from the world soccer governing body, insisting they needed to notify the PSL first before announcing the position taken by Fifa, NewsDay Sport went through the regulations and status of player transfers and can reveal that the player has been cleared because he is a free agent according to his clearance from South African Football Association (Safa) and Bloemfontein Celtic.
The International Transfer Certificate (ITC) issued by Safa on April 30 this year reads: “We certify that in accordance with the provision of the Fifa regulations on the status and transfer of players, player Rodreck Mutuma formerly a member of Bloemfontein Celtic, having dully fulfilled his obligations both towards his former club and our association, is therefore free to pursue sports activities with another association affiliated to Fifa.”
The player was deregistered by Safa on April 30 and his ITC was delivered to Zifa the same day.
His former club Celtic also issued him a clearance certificate on April 9. “This is to serve as a clearance certificate for Rodreck Mutuma. He is released and free to join a club of his choice,” his clearance certificate reads.
“The player acknowledges that Bloemfontein Celtic FC has fulfilled all its responsibilities towards the player and is not indebted to the player in any way.
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“We wish the player all the best in his future.”
Zifa communications manager Xolisani Gwesela yesterday said they would announce Fifa’s position after notifying the PSL.
“We had written to Fifa seeking clarification on this matter. Our request was processed by Fifa and send back to us. However, we have to notify the PSL first before we announce Fifa’s position on this matter,” Gwesela said.
Article 6.1 on player status and transfer says: “Players may only be registered during one of the two annual registration periods fixed by the relevant association.
“As an exception to this rule, a professional whose contract has expired prior to the end of a registration period may be registered outside that registration period.
“Associations are authorised to register such professionals provided due consideration is given to the sporting integrity of the relevant competition.
“Where a contract has been terminated with just cause, Fifa may take provisional measures in order to avoid abuse, subject to article 22.”
