- ZIFA say operations paralysed by a cartel which has joined hands with some creditors targeting FIFA funds
- Say acts of interference and sabotage designed to cripple assocaition operations are on the rise
- ZIFA owes creditors over US$8 million
TROUBLED Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) says the recent attachment of the association’s property is an act of interference and sabotage designed to cripple the association’s operations.
The Sheriff of the High Court on Wednesday attached ZIFA’s property over a debt owed to LED Travel and Tours accrued in 2012.
“The unfortunate development came as a surprise to the association since the creditor was paid and acknowledged receipt of the payment,” ZIFA said in a statement of the Bernard Gwarada owned LED Travel and Tours.
“The association is gravely concerned by growing acts of interference and sabotage designed to cripple our operations particularly during periods when we have national teams in camp. This is not the first time that some creditors have targeted the Association’s movable assets and bank accounts when there are national team assignments,” the association added.
The Felton Kamambo led association said they were making a deliberate effort to extinguish the association’s long standing debt.
“We have been working round the clock to ensure that the debt now amounting to millions of dollars, which was accrued over the past eight years, is serviced. We sympathise with our creditors but we are working on a protracted plan to service the debt,” ZIFA said.
ZIFA owes creditors over US$8 million.
“We are aware of a cartel that is fighting to dislodge the current ZIFA leadership and the entire Council,” ZIFA said.
“As the ZIFA Board and Council we will continue to protect football in Zimbabwe and ensure that there is harmony and unity in football. This cartel which has joined hands with some creditors are targeting funds from FIFA meant for development of football in general. This has completely paralysed ZIFA operations.”
The association said it has declared year 2020 as a year of working for football and was hopeful that the storm is coming to an end.
