The Zimbabwe Football Association (Zifa) appears to have drawn knives for Premier Soccer League (PSL) chief executive Kenny Ndebele after launching an investigation into possible misconduct by the veteran administrator.
By Sports Reporter
In a letter, Zifa wrote to Ndebele on Wednesday last week enquiring about the media statements attributed to the administrator allegedly demeaning the standing of the association.
Ndebele was also asked to answer to a letter he wrote to the Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) as well as the World League Forum, clearly showing an alleged negative view of the association, without the consent of Zifa.
Zifa requested that Ndebele furnish them with the reason for failure to provide the accounting details of the clubs when they were requested by the secretary-general of the football association.
The latest development may result in strained relations between Zifa and PSL clubs for whom Ndebele was speaking out at the time.
The PSL, through Ndebele, expressed its disappointment with the revised allocation of the Fifa Covid-19 relief funds by the local football mother body.
In the initial allocation budget made in July, the PSL was in line to get US$20 000, but this was later halved following a Zifa executive committee meeting, leading to Ndebele’s utterances.
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“The Premier Soccer League is naturally disappointed with the allocation of US$10 000 from the Fifa Covid-19 relief funds. We understand the relief funds are meant to assist football organisations to restart competitions and with this allocation, the PSL may find it difficult to restart football competitions unless we get more funds,” Ndebele was quoted by StandardSport back in August.
“We appreciate that the national association has the ultimate authority or prerogative to disburse funds as it pleases; but there is a feeling that there is vindictiveness on the part of the association after the PSL objected to receiving funds in RTGS dollars.”
Interestingly in most of the media articles cited including one by this publication, Ndebele appeared to be speaking on behalf of premier league clubs.
While confirming receipt of the letter from Zifa, Ndebele referred this publication to PSL boss Farai Jere whose mobile phone was unreachable by the time of going to press.
However, the letter seems to be targeting Ndebele in his personal capacity.
Ndebele is also expected to answer to statements made in the Sunday Mail, Daily News and The Herald in reference to the allocation of the US$1,8 million Fifa Covid Fund as well as the resumption of local football.
Zifa also made a number of demands, which include Ndebele holding a press conference in which he agrees or denies making the media statements.
Ndebele is also expected to “confirm whether or not you authored the aforementioned letter to the SRC and the basis upon which the allegations against the association contained therein are made.”
“The aforementioned information must be served at the association offices within seven days from the date of this letter. Note, in the event of failure to comply with the above, the association shall draw adverse inferences and will proceed to make a determination on the options available to it without an input from you.
“Further, note that the letter herein does not constitute a charge for misconduct, but it’s merely investigative in nature meant to ascertain the facts from you,” Zifa said.
