- Premier League
Bankruptcy may force Zimbabwe out of World Cup qualifying
The penniless football association can no longer pay for international commitments, putting tournament participation in jeopardy for a host of South Africa-based stars
The warning comes from Zimbabwe Football Association (Zifa) vice president Ndumiso Gumede on the back of instructions from Fifa to clear their debts, which now total €3 million.
"Fifa has said to us don’t get yourselves involved in games unless you have a full government guarantee or sponsorship that covers accommodation, match expenses and all incidentals," he told reporters.
"Unless [the] government chips in and funds the match against Egypt, we are better off paying a huge fine of about $50 000 (€38,000) to Fifa than accruing another huge debt to fulfill the game."
Gumede said Fifa’s tough stance had also forced them to review their international obligations with Zifa now set to withdraw from all games and competitions for which it does not have substantial financial backing.
Zimbabwe are set to travel to Cairo on the weekend of March 22-24 to resume their World Cup qualifying campaign before hosting the Pharaohs in Harare on June 7.
The nation already had to withdraw their Under 20 and Under 17 teams from the continental championships due to a lack of finances.
"So come January 1, we are not going to take part in any games unless there are tangible financial commitments to cover for everything, including incidentals," Gumede added."It has been Fifa’s observation that the more we commit ourselves to fulfilling a lot of matches, the deeper we are sinking in terms of our debt and when you look at it closely you can see that it is true."
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