Zanzibar defies Caf directive, ready to suffer suspension

Dar es Salaam. Zanzibar is plunging into a deep crisis after a special committee formed to oversee the Isles’ football matters defied Confederation of Africa Football (Caf) order.

The committee was formed following a court order after an impasse in resolving controversies between Zanzibar Football Association (ZFA) and its stakeholders.

Fifa laws prohibit matters pertaining to soccer to be settled in law courts, but the committee has stuck to its guns, saying they would not obey the Caf order, which requires the ZFA leadership be reinstated.

The African soccer governing body through the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) also directed that all those who filed cases in the law court to withdraw them.

In what is considered as defiance, the committee says that they are ready for the Caf wrath, which would see all soccer activities suspended.

The committee, however, has until November 7 to hand over power to the constitutionally elected leadership or else Zanzibar will be banned.

Caf reached the decision recently during its executive committee meeting held in Cairo, Egypt in which the TFF president Jamal Malinzi and his secretary general, Mwesigwa Celestin attended.

Secretary general of the African soccer governing body Hicham El Amrani said Caf does not recognise the committee for it stems from the law court.

He said failure to act in accordance with the Caf directives will leave Zanzibar suspended, expounding that the Isles will be locked out of continental competitions and Cecafa-organised tournaments.

However, Zanzibar’s special committee member Haji Ameir told The Citizen yesterday that they would not honour the directives and that they were ready to see the Indian Ocean Island suspended from Caf and Cecafa events.

“Zanzibar is not ready to be under corrupt leaders. We have seen even top Fifa officials being sidelined for corruption, so why should Caf ban us for trying to root out such acts?” said Ameir.

“We want to put the house in order, so we will not obey the Caf directives, come what may.”

The TFF has attempted to resolve the controversy outside the law court, but to no avail.

TFF secretary general Mwesigwa Celestin said their efforts to amicably resolve the matter proved failure before seeking Caf intervention. He disclosed that they have received the directives from the continent’s controlling body and that they will support any decision after November 7.

He reiterated that the only way to settle conflicts in soccer is through structures approved by Fifa.