Zifa president Cuthbert Dube on Friday appeared to bootlick Fifa president Sepp Blatter in front of a watching world, a short moment before elections that gave the Swiss a fifth mandate to head the world football governing body.
BY OUR STAFF
Despite failing to secure a two thirds majority, Blatter was declared the winner — after garnering 133 votes to Prince Ali bin al-Hussein’s 73 — after which the Jordanian opted against a rerun.
But that was not before Dube had faced the world, affirming his allegiance for Blatter.
Having kept his cards close to chest on whom he was backing, Dube told a Sky News journalist about his support for Blatter as he made way into Zurich’s Hallenstadion where the elections were to be held.
He was in the company of Zifa chief executive officer Jonathan Mashingaidze.
“Can I ask who you will be voting for today?” asked the journalist.
“Blatter,” declared a bullish Dube.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
“So you are not trying to change?” the reporter further asked, to which Dube responded: “No! I cannot betray a man who has assisted us.”
Dube’s open allegiance to Blatter could be interpreted as “payback time” after Fifa saved his head two weeks ago by nullifying his ouster by a group of Zifa councillors.
But Zimbabwe has a complicated relationship with Fifa.
The same Blatter administration humiliated Zifa two years ago by declining to endorse worldwide Asiagate match-fixing life bans after the determined local football mother body had poured an enormous amount of money and time in investigating the scandal.
Fifa in March also suspended Zimbabwe from taking part in the 2018 Fifa World Cup qualifiers over an outstanding salary owed to former Warriors coach Valinhos.
