Sports / Soccer
No amnesty for Asiagate match-fixers
25 Sep 2011 at 05:49hrs | Views
FIFA head of security Chris Eaton has declared that there won't be any amnesty for individuals who were involved in match-fixing, effectively throwing the future of a number of Zimbabwe internationals into turmoil.
Eaton, who arrived yesterday afternoon for a series of crucial meetings with the local football governing body, said that Fifa will show no compassion for those found guilty of match-fixing.
The match-fixing scandal, better known locally as Asiagate, has rocked local football and players and officials who will be found guilty now face a bleak future.
Eaton indicated that there are 24 countries currently investigating match fixing and Zimbabwe is the first country which took match fixing seriously and as FIFA they would like to applaud the football association for a job well done.
Zifa have been carrying out investigations into match-fixing since last year and recently suspended three board members on allegations of match-fixing.
Monomotapa director Solomon Mugavazi, former Warriors midfielder Methembe Ndlovu and former Fifa panel refereee and Zifa vice president Kenny Marange were all sent on forced leave.
A number of players, officials and journalists were implicated in the scam.
Zifa president Cuthbert Dube said that they will present their investigations to the Fifa security chief and will make a decision on the guilty parties by the 30th of this month.
The two organisations are set to announce a US$20 million partnership intended to assist in the prevention of match fixing.
Interpol have already begun a major inquiry into a global match-fixing ring which specifically targeted friendly internationals.
Some Zimbabwean players and officials have since confessed having received money to fix matches and it remains to be seen what action Zifa and Fifa will take.
Eaton, who arrived yesterday afternoon for a series of crucial meetings with the local football governing body, said that Fifa will show no compassion for those found guilty of match-fixing.
The match-fixing scandal, better known locally as Asiagate, has rocked local football and players and officials who will be found guilty now face a bleak future.
Eaton indicated that there are 24 countries currently investigating match fixing and Zimbabwe is the first country which took match fixing seriously and as FIFA they would like to applaud the football association for a job well done.
Zifa have been carrying out investigations into match-fixing since last year and recently suspended three board members on allegations of match-fixing.
A number of players, officials and journalists were implicated in the scam.
Zifa president Cuthbert Dube said that they will present their investigations to the Fifa security chief and will make a decision on the guilty parties by the 30th of this month.
The two organisations are set to announce a US$20 million partnership intended to assist in the prevention of match fixing.
Interpol have already begun a major inquiry into a global match-fixing ring which specifically targeted friendly internationals.
Some Zimbabwean players and officials have since confessed having received money to fix matches and it remains to be seen what action Zifa and Fifa will take.
Source - zimpapers
