Sports / Soccer
Fifa throw Zifa a SWC 2018 lifeline
14 May 2015 at 08:46hrs | Views
FIFA have handed Zimbabwe a lifeline after giving the national football association up to the end of this month to clear outstanding salary arrears owed to former coach, Brazilian Jose Claudinei Georgini if they are to entertain any hopes of taking part in the 2018 Fifa World Cup qualifiers.
The draw for the world showpiece will be held on July 25 in Russia and Zifa needs to clear the $81,000 arrears they owe to the Brazilian, popularly known as "Valinhos" in football circles.
In an interview on Tuesday moments after he met a Fifa delegation as well as members of the Zifa board, Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Andrew Langa said an olive branch has been extended to the country following the announcement by Fifa.
"Fifa said we should pay the Valinhos debt by end of this month, failure of which we will kiss participation in the Fifa 2018 World Cup qualifiers goodbye. Zifa have not tabled a debt extinguishing strategy but as a ministry, we will definitely engage Treasury about that," said Minister Langa.
He, however, expressed fears that once they clear Valinhos' dues, other creditors like Tom Saintfiet will also start raising dust, further complicating Zimbabwe's situation.
Fifa banned Zimbabwe from the 2018 World Cup in early March but Zifa have not paid a single dime towards the debt, despite getting close to $70,000 from their biggest affiliate, the Premier Soccer League.
The draw for the world showpiece will be held on July 25 in Russia and Zifa needs to clear the $81,000 arrears they owe to the Brazilian, popularly known as "Valinhos" in football circles.
In an interview on Tuesday moments after he met a Fifa delegation as well as members of the Zifa board, Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Andrew Langa said an olive branch has been extended to the country following the announcement by Fifa.
"Fifa said we should pay the Valinhos debt by end of this month, failure of which we will kiss participation in the Fifa 2018 World Cup qualifiers goodbye. Zifa have not tabled a debt extinguishing strategy but as a ministry, we will definitely engage Treasury about that," said Minister Langa.
He, however, expressed fears that once they clear Valinhos' dues, other creditors like Tom Saintfiet will also start raising dust, further complicating Zimbabwe's situation.
Fifa banned Zimbabwe from the 2018 World Cup in early March but Zifa have not paid a single dime towards the debt, despite getting close to $70,000 from their biggest affiliate, the Premier Soccer League.
Source - chronicle
