Are Zambia flirting with FIFA ban & Olympic disqualification?

05/05/2024 16:36

Zambia could be creeping towards a FIFA ban due to third-party involvement in the activities of the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ).

The world football’s governing body has cast its eye on the Southern African country after FAZ halted its annual general meeting due to a court order following its president Andrew Kamanga's arrest.

Corruption Allegations

In 2016, FAZ official Maxmillian Chanda reported Kamanga to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) for alleged corrupt activities after assuming office.

However, Chanda later withdrew the case and claimed that it was because FAZ had the capacity to resolve the matter in accordance with its statutes and disciplinary codes.

Kamanga also suspended FAZ vice-president Richard Kazala and committee member Blackwell Siwale after they failed to account for US$15,000 IN 2016.

The money was from ticket sales for last month’s 2018 World Cup qualifier loss to Nigeria according to BBC Africa.

Arrest & Charges

In April 2024, the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) issued a statement indicating that Kamanga had been arrested and charged with money laundering offences.

DEC alleged that Kamanga obtained government funds under false pretences and was part of a conspiracy to defraud ahead of the 2024 FAZ Annual General Meeting (AGM).

Furthermore, Madalitso Kamanga and Jairous Siame, who travelled to the 2023 AFCON finals in Ivory Coast in January 2024 as part of FAZ’s support staff, have also been charged, along with the association’s general secretary Reuben Kamanga.

Andrew Kamanga later came out and stated that the biggest crime he had committed was stopping people from stealing football money on Daily Nation Zambia.

Court Order

FAZ later announced the indefinite postponement of its Annual General Meeting (AGM) following a court ruling upholding an injunction against the association.

Ndola High Court Judge Greenwell Malumani declined FAZ's application to discharge the injunction filed by non-members Damiano Mutale and journalist Mabvuto Phiri.

FIFA ban looming?

FIFA has warned that further attempts by a third party (Ndola High Court) to prevent the FAZ annual general meeting from taking place might be considered a violation of Article 19 paragraph 1 of the FIFA Statutes and Article 7 paragraph 1.g. of the CAF Statutes.

If the world football’s governing body decides to ban Zambia, the country’s teams would be prevented from featuring in international tournaments due to undue influence by third parties.

Zambia's Copper Queens have qualified for the Paris 2024 Olympics. However, a FIFA ban would see the Copper Queens miss out on the prestigious tournament.