In a developing controversy, MWOS FC faces serious accusations of bribing players from Norton Community ahead of their recent match against Scottland, which ended in a staggering 7-0 defeat for Norton. Reports suggest that approximately $50 was offered to each Norton player to influence the outcome of the game.
Norton Community, already under scrutiny for suspected match-fixing, has taken the drastic step of suspending its technical staff and players. The club is also facing allegations of fielding unregistered players, a violation of ZIFA Standing Rules, which has further compounded their troubles.
This scandal unfolds in the context of an intense race for promotion to the Premier Soccer League, with both MWOS FC and Scottland FC competing fiercely for the top position. Currently, MWOS FC stands at 72 points, tied with Scottland, who recently earned three points from an abandoned match against Karoi United.
The controversy erupted following Scottland’s decisive 7-0 victory over Norton Community at Rufaro Stadium last week. In the wake of this defeat, Norton Community suspended its coaches and players, citing match-fixing allegations without presenting any evidence to substantiate their claims.
Northern Region Soccer League chairman Martin Kweza has called for clarification from Norton Community chairman Nyakungu regarding the ongoing investigations into these serious allegations.
Preliminary findings indicate that Norton Community may have employed unregistered players in the match. Moreover, it has been alleged that some players received bribes from MWOS FC to negatively impact Scottland’s performance.
Veteran sports journalist The Page highlighted MWOS FC’s purported connections to a larger syndicate involving referees and officials, bringing further scrutiny to the club’s practices. This revelation emerged on October 6, intensifying the already heated discussions surrounding the integrity of the league.
The fallout from the Scottland-Norton match comes on the heels of the controversial abandoned game involving Karoi United in September, which was ultimately ruled in favor of Scottland. Match commissioner Kanzvimbo Kanzvimbo provided a detailed account of the chaotic events that transpired on September 15.
In his report, Kanzvimbo noted several troubling incidents, including:
– Unprovoked attacks by Karoi United fans.
– Projectiles thrown at the Scottland FC technical team.
– A dramatic delay in play due to the Karoi goalkeeper, Monze, feigning injury.
As the investigation unfolds, the implications for MWOS FC, Norton Community, and the integrity of the Northern Region Soccer League remain significant. The coming weeks will be critical as more information surfaces and officials seek to uphold the standards of fair play in Zimbabwean football.
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