Fifa ends Zimbabwe football ban as committee created to oversee return

In a letter signed by secretary general Fatma Samoura, Fifa says that all of the conditions for lifting the suspension have been met.

Having previously insisted on the reinstatement of the Zifa board, led by Felton Kamambo, since the four-year mandate of the board expired last December, Fifa has ruled that “from a legal standpoint it is no longer possible for Kamambo” and his fellow officials to resume their position of leadership.

Fifa had also objected to the SRC appointing a restructuring committee, but since the latter ceased to exist in December, that objection is also moot.

With Zimbabwe back in the international fold, concerns will now mount over the country having no stadium approved to host international football.

Minister Coventry insisted there are plans for the National Sports Stadium in Harare to be renovated to meet international standards, which is a requirement for Caf to allow the capital to stage matches again.

The normalisation committee will be led by former Dynamos FC chairman Lincoln Mutasa, former Highlanders player Sikhumbuzo Ndebele, former national women’s team coach and captain Rosemary Mugadza, and lawyer Nyasha Tashinga Sanyamandwe.

The committee, whose personnel are determined by both Fifa and Caf, must follow strict procedures to access much-needed funds from Fifa’s Forward programme, which can dispense up to $2m a year to member associations.

“During the term of the normalisation committee, Fifa Forward funds will be paid in monthly instalments and upon receipt of a budget, monthly reporting and other supporting documents such as bank statements,” Samoura stated.

“In addition, a forensic audit of Zifa’s accounts will be carried out as soon as possible.”