Sports / Soccer
Zim players 'match-fixers' future looks bleak
01 Jul 2011 at 15:15hrs | Views
The future of Zimbabwean players accused of match-fixing while on tours in Asia during 2008 and 2009 continues to look bleak following revelations that a Fifa anti-corruption team will next week refer their case to the Zimbabwean police.
The accused Zimbabwean players include SA-based Mamelodi Sundowns fullback Method Mwanjali and striker Nyasha Mushekwi and Kaizer Chiefs defender Thomas Sweswe.
The Zimbabwe Football Association alleges that the three players are among those who have admitted to taking bribes of around US$1 000 (R7 000) to lose national team matches for betting syndicates against Thailand, Malaysia and Syria.
World football governing body wants the trio and their fellow national team players, most still based in their homeland, banned from all football.
The Fifa team is expected to be in Harare on Sunday and Monday, to meet members of the Zimbabwe Republic Police and try and have the accused players put under formal police investigation for the alleged match-fixing.
The Fifa team will be led by the world soccer governing body's head of security Chris Eaton.
"The Fifa team will help us conclude a probe we have investigated," says Zifa senior executive Jonathan Mashingaidze.
If the players are found guilty, they face strict sanctions, possibly lifetime bans.
"We expect the Fifa team to arrive on July 2 and leave two days later. The Fifa team is expected to meet senior members of the ZRP, Sports Minister David Coltart, the Zifa probe committee and other stakeholders as part of Fifa's zero tolerance for corruption."
The accused Zimbabwean players include SA-based Mamelodi Sundowns fullback Method Mwanjali and striker Nyasha Mushekwi and Kaizer Chiefs defender Thomas Sweswe.
The Zimbabwe Football Association alleges that the three players are among those who have admitted to taking bribes of around US$1 000 (R7 000) to lose national team matches for betting syndicates against Thailand, Malaysia and Syria.
World football governing body wants the trio and their fellow national team players, most still based in their homeland, banned from all football.
The Fifa team is expected to be in Harare on Sunday and Monday, to meet members of the Zimbabwe Republic Police and try and have the accused players put under formal police investigation for the alleged match-fixing.
The Fifa team will be led by the world soccer governing body's head of security Chris Eaton.
"The Fifa team will help us conclude a probe we have investigated," says Zifa senior executive Jonathan Mashingaidze.
If the players are found guilty, they face strict sanctions, possibly lifetime bans.
"We expect the Fifa team to arrive on July 2 and leave two days later. The Fifa team is expected to meet senior members of the ZRP, Sports Minister David Coltart, the Zifa probe committee and other stakeholders as part of Fifa's zero tolerance for corruption."
Source - www.kickoff.com
