May 7 – The Zimbabwe FA have been slapped with a US$50,000 fine and a conditional suspension from the tournament for their failure to honour an agreement to host this year’s edition of the COSAFA Cup.
Zimbabwe were found guilty by the regional body of reneging on their hosting rights following a last-minute withdrawal but would appear to have got off lightly.
Local reports said ZIFA risked a far heavier fine of up to $1 million but escaped with a lighter sentence after COSAFA’s Disciplinary Committee set aside an additional $150,000 fine on condition that the association provides Government guarantees within the next two months to host the 2020 edition.
Zimbabwe – who are the holders of the COSAFA Cup – are, by virtue of a two-month grace period, allowed to defend their crown at the tournament that will now be hosted by South Africa beginning at the end of this month in Durban.
“ZIFA have received a conditional suspension from COSAFA, but can remedy the situation within two months if they confirm the country as hosts of the 2020 COSAFA Cup, and provide the already signed guarantees from the Zimbabwe Government to this effect,” said a statement.
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