By Kalumiana Kalumiana
FIFA will evaluate the report from its observation team it sent to attend the botched FAZ annual general meeting and then make a decision on Zambia’s fate.
Saturday’s elective FAZ annual meeting was postponed last Friday following an injunction filed by a third party by the name of Humphrey Mwape Musonda, a member of Damiano Academy in Mufulira.
FIFA deputy chief member associations Gelson Fernandez said during his press briefing in Livingstone on Saturday that their job was now to present the report on the postponed FAZ AGM to be studied by the secretariat in Zurich.
It is not an open and shut case despite a flurry of pronouncements made by local high-ranking officials after the FIFA team media briefing earlier in the morning at Radisson Blu hotel in Livingstone.
The Sports Ministry and National Sports Council of Zambia on Saturday afternoon stressed its recognition of the legitimacy of the FAZ AGM, and that the process of withdrawing the injunction was in the process and also slammed the people behind the injunction.
“We already communicated about that. We wrote letters, CAF and FIFA, to FAZ. Last year, it was the same. It’s not new. Last year, I think June or May, it was the same. So, you can go back and check what are the potential consequences,” Fernandez said. “I think it’s very clear. I don’t even need to say it, because I’m not the one taking decisions. I’m only reporting and giving suggestions, but it’s quite clear. Look, I think the number of delegation shows what respect we have for Zambia.”
Fernandez added that he could not give an exact timeframe in which a decision would be made by FIFA.
Meanwhile, sports minister Elvis Nkandu said at a separate briefing later that Government wants to see the democratic process at FAZ flourish.
“Government has no intentions whatsoever to interfere with the running of football. We discussed with the FIFA people before they left,” said Nkandu said.
“We call on all stakeholders to act in good faith and prioritize the development of football over individual interests. Zambia has a rich footballing history, and it is our collective responsibility to ensure that the game continues to thrive without unnecessary disruptions.”
