KMKM players and officials celebrate after winning the Grand Malt Zanzibar Premier League last season. photo | file
What you need to know:
The Zanzibar Football Association (ZFA) has been embroiled in a protracted wrangle with the vice chairman of the body, a situation which has prompted the latter to seek High Court intervention.
Dar es Salaam. The Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) has refused to accept the legality of the committee formed to oversee football matters in Zanzibar.
The Zanzibar Football Association (ZFA) has been embroiled in a protracted wrangle with the vice chairman of the body, a situation which has prompted the latter to seek High Court intervention.
The committee, ZFA KKZ, was formed following a ruling by the High Court of Zanzibar, which barred the ZFA from carrying out its day-to-day duties.
The ruling stems from the lawsuit filed to the High Court by Haji Ameir Haji who is opposing the association’s move to sideline him from getting involved in ZFA’s matters, the decision he claimed contravened the body’s constitution.
After weeks of hearing the case, the High Court ordered the formation of a seven-member committee, which has been tasked to run all ZFA activities pending the final resolution.
The committee will be headed by Hussein Ali Ahmada as the chairman assisted by Omar Ahmed Awadh (vice chairman) and Hashim Salum Hashim (secretary general).
Khamis Hamad is the assistant secretary general while committee members are Masoud Attai Masoud, Salum Hamdun and Ali Ussu Jongo.
However, the TFF says it will not under any circumstance recognise decisions from the High Court for the Fifa prohibits football matters to be resolved in the court of law.
Speaking with The Citizen yesterday, TFF secretary general Mwesigwa Celestine said the ZFA KKZ committee was illegitimate, stressing that the federation will never recognise it.
“We understand that there is a squabble in Zanzibar, but it is clear that football matters cannot be settled in the court of law. It is strictly prohibited by the world governing body (Fifa),” he said.
“We all must adhere to the Fifa’s rules and regulations. Decisions from the law courts are second to those of Fifa, so the TFF will neither accept nor endorse any ruling from the court of law.”
He further explained: “We are disappointed that the person who took matter concerning football knows all Fifa rules. He should come to his senses and follow Fifa’s procedures of finding resolution.
All football activities in the Isles have been suspended despite efforts by the TFF to help mediate the conflicting sides.
“The ongoing conflict is getting the Zanzibar football bogged down. Nothing goes on there currently despite our efforts to end the misunderstanding amicably,” Celestine said. “Both sides reached an agreement to resolve the conflict outside the court before in February, but surprisingly, after the Mapinduzi Cup, the case was back at the High Court and this has put all football activities in the Isles on hold until now.”
The current situation threatens Zanzibar’s chances of featuring in international championships.
Zanzibar’s national team takes part in Cecafa organised event, but it is unlikely for them to compete at the forthcoming Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup planned for Ethiopia next month. It also remains to be seen whether the Zanzibar clubs will participate in CAF-organized competitions.
Asked for comment on the TFF’s stance, Haji said the federation has nothing to do with the Isles football, stressing that he was fighting for the development of the sport.
