KEY POINTS
- ZANU PF legislators accused of involvement in a match-fixing scandal in Scotland.
- The political figures allegedly helped fix the results of a FIFA-sanctioned soccer match.
- Investigations are ongoing as calls for transparency and accountability grow.
In a developing soccer scandal, some of Zimbabwe’s parliamentarians have been implicated in a match-fixing scandal that has rocked the international sporting fraternity. The accused, who are linked to Zimbabwe’s ruling party ZANU PF, are being probed for allegedly rigging a FIFA endorsed soccer match in Scotland.
Soccer and political involvement under probe
This erupted when reports pointed these political personalities to engage in these shadier deeds during a recently concluded international match. Tones and allegations exist with capacities alleging the officials to have directly held the fate of the match.
People familiar with the probe say that money and relationships influenced players and officials. If proved these were clear violation of both sporting spirit and laws governing the conducts of nations across the world
The revelation has caused a lot of uproar not only in Zimbabwe but in the global sporting fraternity with many demanding that the process of investigation be made public.
The people of Zimbabwe have been impatient with their leaders on issues of governance and this scandal has angered them even more.
Backlash and cries of accountability across the region.
As more information is revealed, the Zimbabwean Football Association (ZIFA) has also been forced to explain how such big personalities could be associated with an international match-fixing scandal without prior information.
The world soccer governing body FIFA has not issued a statement on the issue but their promise to launch an investigation into the corruption in soccer is expected to ensure a proper probe.
New Zimbabwe further reported that these lawmakers were alleged to have conspired with local and international people to fix the match.
While the names of the officials have not been mentioned, people close to the case have said that the officials are well known in Zimbabwe’s political arena, making the case more complicated.
Probes still open as worldwide alarm
The international sports community has been observing events as closely as possible because match-fixing scandals endanger the reputation of global competitions.
Different watchdogs and anti-corruption agencies are expected to participate in the investigations in order to come up with moral and competent investigations. In Zimbabwe, however, the public and opposition leaders are calling for justice and asking those who have been accused to suffer consequences if they are guilty.
While such allegations have tainted the political and sporting reputation of Zimbabwe the ongoing investigation is an opportunity to purge the sport of corruption and give back confidence in the sporting activities within the country.
This case therefore also a good reminder of the role dignity and integrity in sporting arena which cuts across political and geographical divides.
Hopes for a fair resolution
Although the allegations have focused a negative light on the Zimbabwe political arena, the investigations will help to open up the political and sporting fields. As the process working, people hope to get the verdict of the case and expect to find some good lessons to make sure such accidents happen not again.
