Zifa president clashes with Fifa over Asiagate

Zifa president Cuthbert Dube has vowed to get Asiagate match-fixing suspects arrested even if they are cleared of any wrongdoing by Fifa.

A defiant Dube said Zifa would engage Zimbabwe's law-enforcement agents to institute criminal charges against the alleged.

Fifa late last month declined to endorse life bans and lengthy suspensions recommended by Zifa as the world football governing body sought finality to the Asiagate scandal.

The global body dismissed a report on Asiagate compiled by an Independent Ethics Commission, questioning the legality of such a commission as it is not provided for in Zifa's constitution as a judiciary body.

Fifa also noted various irregularities on investigations by the Justice Ahmed Ebrahim-chaired commission.

But Dube said, whilst addressing journalists from Zimbabwe's southern and central football regions in Harare, that Zifa would make sure all acquitted persons would be arrested.

"It seems the Asiagate scandal will never end. Judging from the president's (Dube) statements, we are yet to witness the real battle of this scandal. He made it clear that Zifa will make sure Asiagate match fixers are arrested by Fifa," said one journalist who attended the media briefing.

"Zifa are serious in making sure these people are severely punished. But i do not think that would be possible defying Fifa's order to clear the suspected match-fixers," another journalist said.

Zifa are denying ever receiving communication from Fifa refusing to endorse the bans. But a document from Zurich has leaked to the local media with Fifa refusing to effect the sanctions.