The hearing for the case between Karoi United FC and Scottland FC, initially scheduled for today, has been postponed to November 19.
The delay was prompted by the Northern Region Soccer League, led by Martin Kweza, failing to provide the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) with the necessary record of proceedings.
Karoi United filed an appeal against the Northern Region Soccer League’s ruling that found them guilty of abandoning their match against Scottland.
The club submitted a US$5,000 appeal fee to ZIFA, which was expected to schedule a hearing once the necessary paperwork was in place. Filing the appeal did not automatically suspend the disciplinary committee’s decision.
In a ruling announced last week, the NRSL determined that Karoi was responsible for the abandonment of the match, which was tied 1-1 at the time. The committee awarded the match to Scottland FC with a score of 3-0 and imposed a US$2,000 fine on Karoi, of which US$500 was suspended, contingent on avoiding similar offenses in the upcoming season.
In a letter addressed to Kweza, ZIFA General Secretary Yvonne Mapika Manwa demanded that the required documentation be submitted by the end of the day. She stated, “The Zimbabwe Football Association is following up on our earlier request for the record of proceedings regarding the case between Karoi FC and Scottland FC. Please be advised that if the record is not received by the end of the day tomorrow, November 14, 2024, the committee will proceed without it.”
As a result of this situation, the hearing that was supposed to take place today will now be held on November 19, 2024, at 11:00 AM, contingent upon the receipt of the needed records. If the documents are not provided in time, the hearing will continue without them.
-Pindula
