Zimbabwe finished bottom of the group in the African qualification for the 2022 World Cup after a 1-1 draw against Ethiopia on Sunday
Zimbabwe’s participation in next year’s Africa Cup is in jeopardy after the board of its football association (Zifa) was suspended with immediate effect by the country’s government- -pointed Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC).
The world football association Fifa dis -proves of the government’s interference in the functioning of the member associations and has banned all forms of football in the countries in the past.
“This decision was considered after several incidents of gross incompetence on the part of Zifa, which ran counter to the national interest,” said SRK Chairman Gerald Mlotshwa.
The alleged sexual harassment of female referees by technical staff and allegations of fraud are given as reasons for the ban.
The Zifa board, led by Felton Kamambo, has yet to react to the suspension, which comes two days after the end of the men’s national team’s 2022 World Cup qualification with a 1-1 home draw against Ethiopia.
Zimbabwe finished bottom of Group G, which also included Ghana and South Africa, with two points from six games.
The SRC, a legal body charged with regulating and developing sports and leisure in Zimbabwe, also cited other reasons for the suspension, including alleged mismanagement and lack of accountability in the use of public funds.
“We are prepared in many ways for anything that could h -pen,” added Mlotshwa.
“If Fifa decides to ban Zimbabwean football, we will be prepared. If it does, we will consider it a short-term measure.
“Zimbabwean football needs this opportunity to repair itself – if we miss out on international football for a year or two, that’s fine. If we are banned from Afcon next year, we’ll be prepared, that’s fine, we have to deal with it. “With football.”
The SRC took similar action with Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) in 2019, establishing an interim tour and receiving a three-month suspension from the International Cricket Council (ICC).
The ICC -proved ZC again after the board was reinstated.
SRC board member Karen Mutasa hopes for a more positive outcome this time.
“We hope that Fifa will want to see the evidence that is being presented to them and that they will work with us to build football in Zimbabwe and even help set up an interim committee,” she said.
The Sports and Leisure Commission justified the decision at a press conference on Tuesday
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