[wysija_form id=”1″]March 13, 2015 – Federation of International Football (FIFA) has expelled Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) from preliminary rounds of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
The suspension is based on failure of ZIFA to settle its debt to Coach José Claudinei Georgini, after a ruling by FIFA Player Status Committee since August 15, 2012.
The expulsion comes as a result of the non-payment of an outstanding debt by ZIFA to the coach following a decision on 15 August 2012 by the single judge of FIFA’s Players’ Status Committee.
Refusal of ZIFA to pay the coach is seen to be disrespectful of FIFA rules, citing Article 64 of FIFA Disciplinary Code.
FIFA Disciplinary Committee initially ruled in April 2012, but granted a 60-day period to settle half of its debt to the coach and a 120-day period to settle the remainder of the debt.
ZIFA was specifically warned that, if it fails to pay within the periods, the case would – upon the express written request of the creditor – be resubmitted to the FIFA Disciplinary Committee for the possible imposition of harsher sanctions, which could lead to expulsion from a FIFA competition. ZIFA did not appeal the decision.
