Zifa spot-on: Coltart

The Zimbabwean

By Chris Ncube

8 February 2012

The football mother-body announced last week that it had indefinitely suspended 80 players and officials fingered in the controversial “Asiagate” scam. The suspended individuals allegedly received money to fix matches during tours of Asia between 2007 and 2009.

“I think that ZIFA is acting correctly,” Coltart told The Zimbabwean.

“That is subject, of course, to the rules of natural justice being followed and the enquiries being held urgently.”

Asiagate has already claimed a big scalp, in former ZIFA Chief Executive Officer, Henrietta Rushwaya, who was arrested last week. She was singled out as the chief architect of the biggest crisis to hit Zimbabwean football.

She sanctioned the trips, during which Zimbabwe suffered heavy losses to low-ranking nations like Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. Former champions, Monomotapa also toured Malaysia, masquerading as the national team. Meanwhile the Federation of International Football Associations said it was evaluating the issue before making a ruling.

“At the moment we are looking into the matter and can therefore, not comment further. We might be able to say more in a few weeks,” said a FIFA media officer.

The organisation has over the years shown no mercy to culprits involved in match fixing. Players and administrators allegedly involved in Asiagate risk receiving life bans from the sport.