Flamboyant Zvishavane-based Premier Soccer League side FC Platinum have bailed out seven of their players convicted in the Asiagate scandal by paying fines for them.
Report By Brian Nkiwane
The platinum miners had nine players that were implicated in the scandal that rocked Zimbabwean football after players, officials and administrators aided in throwing away matches in Asian countries.
According to reliable sources in the Platinum camp, the club has managed to pay Zifa money amounting to US$16 000 as fines for the seven players that they wish to retain for the 2013 soccer season.
This means that two more players have been scrapped from the list, which clearly means the club does not have any plans with them.
“Yes, I can confirm that the club has paid Zifa US$16 000 for fines that our players were slapped with for their participation in the Asiagate scandal,” said the source.
“We have bailed out seven players that we want to retain for the 2013 soccer season. The remaining two are going to pay for themselves as the club is no longer interested in renewing their contracts. But from what I gather, the other players have since paid their fines.”
FC Platinum had nine players on the list. Play-maker Ali Sadiki, who had a one year wholly suspended ban for taking part in the Merdeka tournament was also slapped with US$1 000 fine together with goalkeeper Tsungai Mudzamiri.
- 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
Benjamin Marere had a suspended one year ban for participating in Thailand and Malaysia and was also slapped with a US$2 000 fine.
Defence stalwart Daniel Veremu also took part in a similar assignment and got a similar judgement.
Skipper Zephaniah Ngodzo took part in the Cecafa Tournament in Kenya and was handed a three-year ban plus a US$3 000 fine together with left back Khumbulani Banda, midfielder Thabani Kamusoko and goalkeeper Tafadzwa Dube.
Defender Quadr Amini, who received a two-year wholly suspended ban for taking part in the Bulgarian tour was also slapped with a US$2 000 fine.
It remains to be seen which two senior players are going to be shown the exit door anytime this week.
The platinum miners who hogged the limelight last week for failing to pay their players in time have confirmed paying their players their remaining salaries as well as their December pay.
“We have managed to clear all outstanding payments and went a step ahead paying their December salaries on time. As of now, we do not owe any players anything. We are now waiting to pay them their January salaries towards end of the month,” added the source.
Meanwhile Zifa could not give details of how many players had since paid fines ahead of the December 31 deadline.
Zifa chief executive officer Jonathan Mashingaidze could not be reached for comment as he was attending Adam Ndlovu’s burial in Bulawayo.
