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Zimbabwe Sports Commission Takes Draft Report on Match-Fixing Under Advisement


Sports and Recreation Commission Chairman Joseph James told VOA that the draft report must be reviewed before his panel can decide what steps the Zimbabwe Football Association must take in response to its conclusions

Details of a probe into alleged match-fixing by Zimbabwe Warriors players and technical staff members during a 2009 Asian tour emerged this week after the completion Friday of an investigation ordered by the Sports and Recreation Commission and carried out by the overhauled board of the Zimbabwe Football Association.

The report was in the hands of the Sports and Recreation Commission which to review the findings and decide what action take based on the contents of the report, which a commission official said was not yet final.

The report is said to conclude that Warriors players were paid amounts of up to US$1,500 to throw matches to Asian teams in Malaysia and Thailand at the order of Zimbabwe Football Association officials.

ZIFA Chief Executive Officer Henrietta Rushwaya has been suspended pending the conclusion of the probe. She has been accused of approving the Asian tour without clearance by ZIFA's board or the sports commission.

ZIFA Director Benedict Moyo told VOA Studio 7 reporter Marvellous Mhlanga-Nyahuye that the board will take stern action against those found guilty of match fixing - but will only do so on orders from the sports commission.

Sports and Recreation Commission Chairman Joseph James told VOA that the draft report must be reviewed before his panel can decide what steps ZIFA must take in response to its conclusions.

The Zimbabwe Soccer Supporters Association called the match fixing allegations regrettable as they will further tarnish the sport’s image in Zimbabwe. Soccer Supporters Association Media Manager Spencer Manguwa said ZIFA must demand greater accountability from its administrators if it is going to stamp out corruption.

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