Ndebele speaks out on corruption, Highlanders’ match boycott
“These, as you will appreciate, are very grave accusations. Suffice to say, the appointment, management, discipline, training and supervision of the affairs of referees is not under the jurisdiction of the PSL nor its secretariat but that of the football association, that is Zifa in our case.
ZIMBABWE’S Premier Soccer League (PSL) chief executive Kennedy Ndebele says the top-flight football management body remains professional in running the game and does not tolerate corruption by match officials or other stakeholders.
Chamisa reaches out to Khupe Ndebele also says PSL officials are professional and impartial in running football, and will not be accessories to favouritism and corruption.
He says the PSL has previously raised issues of biased or incompetent match officials with the football governing body, Zimbabwe Football Association (Zifa), whose technical committee appoints referees.
Allegations of match-fixing, corruption and criminality in football came in the aftermath of a stormy abandoned Chibuku Super Cup game between Bulawayo giants Highlanders and Simba Bhora, a new force in local football.
The match was abandoned after Simba Bhora was given a fake penalty following what seemed like an infringement by a Highlanders defender outside the box.
Replays showed the foul, which is also disputed by Highlanders, happened outside the box, but the referee, supported by enthusiastic football commentators of the day who sounded excited about the fake penalty, incredibly pointed to the spot.
Unofficial president calls for emergency meeting Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League chief executive Kennedy Ndebele.
Football fans across the board were shocked. T he match officials have now been suspended.
Bosso reacted by walking away and the penalty was not taken.
The match was later given to Simba Bhora and Highlanders were fined US$6 000, much to the anger of Bosso fans.
Highlanders supporters took grave offence and said they would boycott their next PSL match against ZPC Kariba at Barbourfields Stadium in which their team won 2-0, which they did.
The well-attended boycott protest was said to be against “match-fixing, corruption and criminality”.
It was also further billed as a fundraising event to mobilise US$6 000 for the fine.
Financial figures from the boycott show Highlanders has raised that amount and may actually double the figure.
We are overwhelmed with gratitude! 🙏
Thanks to the generosity of our amazing fans! We want to extend our heartfelt appreciation to each and every one of you who contributed to this incredible total. Your support and commitment to the club means the world to us. pic.twitter.com/W4IY0Sra8i
Amid the raging storm of controversy, Ndebele, a former Bosso official, was accused by some Highlanders supporters of being against their club out of a personal vendetta against his rivals in the team.
Commenting on the contentious issues involved, Ndebele told The NewsHawks:
“These, as you will appreciate, are very grave accusations. Suffice to say, the appointment, management, discipline, training and supervision of the affairs of referees is not under the jurisdiction of the PSL nor its secretariat but that of the football association, that is Zifa in our case.
“The PSL has raised, in writing, concerns with Zifa about the conduct of match officials when complaints have been forwarded by its clubs. The PSL is a collective of 18 elite men’s football clubs whose governors make policy and supervise the chief executive in implementing those policies.
Zimbawe Premier League Chief Executive Kennedy Ndebele
“The PSL is governed by its constitution, rules and regulations. Eighteen member clubs who make up the league at any one time constitute the board of governors and they are responsible for policy formulation and guiding the strategic direction of the league.
“The general secretariat is responsible for policy implementation and all the administrative work of PSL under the direction of the chief executive officer.
“The intimation that the CEO holds and acts on the basis of personal grudges is baseless. The CEO is part of a collective and acts in terms of the rules of the game, not personal whims and caprices. The constitution, rules and regulations govern our competitions, and remain the blueprint and guide for all PSL officials and stakeholders.”
PSL is an affiliate of Zifa and operates as an independent semi-autonomous institution. It is responsible for managing the top-flight football league competitions, including its associated commercial rights in Zimbabwe.
The PSL board chairperson is Farai Jere, while Ndebele is chief executive.
