Online Reporter
EMBATTLED Karoi United have appealed against the Northern Region Soccer League ruling that found them guilty of causing the abandonment of their game against Scottland, amid revelations that a “third force’’ has stepped in to fund the financially troubled club’s legal battle.
Karoi United tendered their US$5 000 appeal fees at ZIFA with the association now expected to set a date for the hearing when all the necessary paperwork has been put in place.
ZIFA chief executive Yvonne Manwa confirmed receiving Karoi United’s appeal fees.
“Yes, they paid, we are waiting for their paperwork,’’ Manwa said.
The appeal will put on hold the party mood that had engulfed the Scottland camp ahead of the last day of the NRSL champion race on Friday.
In their ruling which was officially announced on Monday, the NRSL disciplinary committee found Karoi guilty of causing the abandonment of their encounter against Scottland at Chikangwe when the match was 1-1.
“In terms of the rules and regulations, the NRSL has handed down its judgment in the Karoi United – Scottland FC abandoned match as follows: The abandoned match is hereby awarded to Scottland FC on a 3-0 scoreline. Karoi United is further fined a sum amount of US$2 000 of which US$500 has been suspended on condition that Karoi United FC will not commit a similar offense in the coming soccer season,” reads part of the judgement.
“The suspended amount will be added to any determination where Karoi United FC is found guilty of bringing the game of football into disrepute.
“The decision is designed to ensure that future incidents of a similar nature will not occur and in the process protect the game of football.”
The appeal has raised eyebrows even in their own dressing room since the appeal fee was tendered just 12 days after Karoi faced a player mutiny over unpaid bonuses, amid claims by the club chiefs that there was no money in their coffers.
Disgruntled Karoi players are reportedly questioning the wisdom of the club after its launch of “an expensive legal battle when they have not been paying the players’ bonuses for the last three matches’’.
Sources close to the goings-on at Karoi told Zimpapers Sports Hub on Wednesday that a yet-to-be-identified benefactor has availed funds to the club executives to help them pay for their lawyer’s fees. The benefactor is also availing all the financial assistance needed for the club to mount its appeal at ZIFA.
The club is owned by the Karoi Town Council and it has emerged that the council had not approved any expenditure related to a legal challenge of the ruling.
“Karoi United is a council-owned team and as such, all their major expenses have to be approved by the council,” said the source.
“In fact, the club has been struggling financially and just before their Match Day 25 game against AGAMA FC on October 23, their players went on strike as they have not been paid for three matches now.
“So the players are surprised that the same club that is telling them that there is no money suddenly has money to pay the lawyer who represented the team at the hearing.”
The source said it is surprising that the club did not waste time paying US$5 000 to ZIFA a day after the judgment was handed down, even before settling players’ bonuses.
“This sounds so strange and only a few individuals in the executive seem to know what is happening. Things are not adding up and even the council is not aware of these developments.”
