Is the PSL constitution recognised by ZIFA?

23 Dec, 2016 - 00:12 0 Views

The ManicaPost

By Mwandibhuya Mutepfa
FIFA is the international football federation, the supreme body that runs football in the whole world to which Zimbabwe Football Association is a member/affiliate. ZIFA has its constitution which is respected by FIFA and its constitution only supersedes theirs if they are at variance.

FIFA will recommend ZIFA or any national association to align its constitution with that of the international body but will not give a directive.

Where this is not done and if there is a constitutional matter between FIFA and ZIFA then it is clear that any variance on a specific issue, FIFA’s constitution will prevail.

Generally, the same relationship should exist between ZIFA and its members/affiliates such as Premier Soccer League.

It should be noted that PSL was born after clubs rebelled against the national association forming the super league by then. It is a known fact that among the reasons was poor administration by the mother body. The same set up is also in South Africa.

This arrangement should be commended for improving professionalism in our game and it also gives the national association space to concentrate on national teams, both men and women as well as developing the game in schools and academies.

All sporting institutions with constitutions are guided by their statutes that should be recognised by their national associations. By so doing, the day-to-day operations of affiliates are guided by their statutes which should be adopted and registered by national associations.

It is therefore, not correct for the national association to give directives to its members/affiliates on constitutional matters since the affiliates should operate according to their statutes unless the members go against their own constitution.

Is the PSL constitution recognised by ZIFA?

PSL have been in existence for more than 20 years.

It is very mischievous for ZIFA to bring issues that doubt the constitutionality of PSL operations every time there is a dispute.

It is also wrong for ZIFA to give directives that seem to suggest that they want to take over PSL especially on issues concerning money. This will drive away sponsors.

If ZIFA religiously demand audited financial statements from its affiliates which include PSL, this will improve transparency and accountability such that there may be no need to give directives for forensic audits.

Equally, Sport & Recreation Commission (SRC) should do the same to ZIFA.

Though I did not pass through Law School, I am not very sure if ZIFA’s issue of giving directives to PSL is constitutionally correct.

ZIFA is taking the advantage that every time an affiliate takes a matter with them to FIFA they are always referred back to the national association in which case now they are also part of the problem.

Share This:

Sponsored Links

We value your opinion! Take a moment to complete our survey

This will close in 20 seconds