Kirsty Coventry: FIFA Suspension Should Remain In Place

Kirsty Coventry: FIFA Suspension Should Remain In Place

The Minister of Sport, Arts and Recreation in Zimbabwe, Kirsty Coventry, has announced that her ministry is not seeking to have the suspension of Zimbabwe by FIFA lifted at this point. The announcement comes after FIFA suspended Zimbabwe from international football due to third-party interference, following the Sports and Recreation Commission’s (SRC) suspension of the Felton Kamambo-led ZIFA administration for several violations, including failure to account for public funds.

FIFA has reiterated that the suspension can only be lifted upon the unconditional reinstatement of the Kamambo-led board. However, the SRC has stated that having the embargo lifted is not a priority, as there are more pressing issues to deal with in the administration of the game.

In a parliamentary question and answer session, Coventry stated that her ministry has never asked FIFA to lift the suspension because they do not want the embargo to be lifted at this point. She stated, “We have accepted that (the ban). We have never asked them (FIFA) to lift it. We don’t want them to lift it at this point until we clear and clean up our soccer. We are not going to do what other members may say.”

The ban has resulted in Zimbabwe missing out on several international tournaments, including all COSAFA competitions, CAF Champions League, Confederation Cup, international friendlies, and the 2023 Afcon Qualifiers.

Coventry also stated that the ministry and the SRC would stand together with alleged victims of sexual harassment and corruption and that they would take the necessary steps to clarify and clean up the issues. The Banda-led ZIFA board has given the roadmap and points they want to clarify and clean up. They will work with the SRC and give those reports to CAF and FIFA, and the process will be taken from there.

The suspension of Zimbabwe by FIFA has been a significant blow to the country’s football industry. The country has a rich football history, and the suspension has prevented players from participating in international competitions, which has hurt their careers.

The suspension has also had a significant impact on the financial situation of the country’s football industry. The industry relies heavily on sponsorship, and the absence of international competition has resulted in a loss of revenue for the industry.

The decision by Coventry not to seek the lifting of the suspension has been welcomed by many in the football industry. The move is seen as a commitment to tackling the issues that led to the suspension in the first place. Many in the industry believe that suspension is a necessary step to help clean up the sport in Zimbabwe and prevent future violations.

There have been calls for the SRC to lift the suspension to allow Zimbabwe to participate in international competitions. However, the SRC has been clear that the priority is to deal with the issues in the administration of the game. The SRC has been working with the Banda-led ZIFA board to clarify and clean up the issues.

The Banda-led board has been working hard to address the issues that led to the suspension. The board has presented a roadmap and a plan to address the issues, which they have been working on since their appointment. They have been working closely with the SRC to ensure the issues are addressed and reports given to CAF and FIFA.

The suspension of Zimbabwe by FIFA has been a wake-up call for the country’s football industry. The suspension has highlighted the need for transparency and accountability in the administration of the game. The industry has been plagued by allegations of corruption and mismanagement, and the suspension has forced the industry to address these issues.

The suspension has also highlighted the need for better governance structures in the country’s football industry. There is a need for better coordination between the different bodies involved in the administration of the game, and there is a need for better communication and transparency