SHOW DOWN AS FIFA DIRECTS FAZ TO GO AHEAD WITH AGM TOMORROW
Press Statement
(For Immediate Release)
Football Association of Zambia
Football House, Lusaka
26th April 2024
FIFA DIRECTS FAZ TO GO ON WITH PLANNED AGM TOMORROW
The world soccer governing body FIFA has directed the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) to hold its Annual General Meeting (AGM) scheduled for Government Complex.
In a letter to FAZ General Secretary Reuben Kamanga dated April 26, 2024, FIFA Member Associations Officer, Kenny Jean-Marie said the reported injunction by the Ndola High Court freezing out the FAZ AGM amount to undue influence by third parties.
Jean-Marie said that failure to hold the AGM by FAZ would provide possible grounds for suspension.
“In addition, please note that the order of the High Court of Zambia dated 24 April 2024 appears to clearly amount to undue influence by third parties which could be considered as a violation of Article 19 paragraph 1 of the FIFA Statutes and Article 7 paragraph 1.g. of the CAF Statutes,” reads part of the letter from FIFA.
“As a result, FIFA takes the view that any further attempt by a third party to prevent the FAZ Annual General Meeting from taking place might be considered a violation to the above- mentioned principle, which would oblige our institution to bring the matter to the attention of the relevant FIFA bodies for consideration of possible sanctions in line with the FIFA Statutes.”
FIFA adds: “For the avoidance of doubt, please note that the infringement of the aforementioned provisions of the FIFA and CAF Statutes may give rise to grounds for the suspension of FAZ irrespective of whether the infringement was attributed to FAZ or not.”
FIFA further states that any suspension by FAZ would deprive Zambia of any sporting participation with any country dealing with Zambia risking sanctions.
“Finally, we would like to remind you that a suspended member association may not exercise any of its membership rights. Other member associations may not entertain sporting contact with a suspended member association. The Disciplinary Committee may impose further sanctions (cf. art. 16 par. 3 ofthe FIFA Statutes and art.8 par.3 of the CAF Statutes). A suspended member association loses all its membership rights, as defined in art. 13 of the FIFA Statutes and art. 6 of the CAF Statutes, with immediate effect and until further notice,” says FIFA.
“Likewise, the representative teams as well as the affiliated clubs of this federation can no longer take part in international competitions until the suspension has been lifted. In view of the foregoing, FAZ is directed to conduct its Annual General Meeting.”
FIFA says it has taken interest in the reported arrests of the FAZ president, Mr. Andrew Kamanga, General Secretary Reuben Kamanga and other officials by the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC)
“We took note with great concern that the FAZ President, two standing committee members and yourself, were jointly charged and arrested by the relevant authorities for a number of counts mentioned in your correspondence,” says Jean-Marie.
“In view of this, and in order to have more clarity on the situation, we would like to kindly request that you provide us, latest by 30 April 2024. with copies of any documents received in relation to the accusations and ongoing investigation against the above-mentioned FAZ officials as well as any additional information that may have been brought to your attention since the arrests took place,” FIFA says.
FAZ is scheduled to hold its AGM on Saturday (tomorrow) at Government Complex with delegates across the country trickling into Lusaka.
For and on behalf of:
FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION OF ZAMBIA
Sydney Mungala
COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
It’s better to have FaZ suspended. Zambia is doing nothing on the football stage. And they have no hope of winning any match until in 2029.
So FIFA is undermining the judical process in an independent country? What arrogance!
No. Acquint yourself with Fifa rules. As simply explained, FIFA being a regulatory football body has its set of rules regardless of any national constitutionality in some ways. It’s simply as that. A breach off from their set rules has an effect as explained. So in the end what would be our fight for should we be suspended? We stop all of our international competitions just because of it? Who will be a loser? Zambia of course, and we will grin our tooth with no gain.
Am not privy to the happenings in Faz leading to the arrest of President Kamanga, and the apparent power struggles in the organisation. But I remember court proceedings against the former UEFA President Platini in Europe, and Concaf cases in America, and there wasn’t any fifa constitutional issues with these cases at that time..does it mean Fifa only gets involved in less developed countries…the third world so called?. Our judicial system should be respected….Fifa can’t just tell an organization in Zambia not to recognize Court Orders..That’s Anarchy. The PIG , Musamba ichito iyo yamoneka..That’s your speciality. Stopping assemblies.
I hear FAZ constitution has been amended without due process.
Is that true?