Karoi United, a team in the Northern Region Soccer League (NRSL), have formally appealed the ruling that found them responsible for the abandonment of their match against Scottland.
ZIFA Chief Executive Officer Yvonne Manwa confirmed to H-Metro that Karoi United had submitted the required US$5,000 appeal fee to the football association. ZIFA is now expected to schedule a hearing once all the necessary documentation has been processed.
The appeal will temporarily halt the celebratory atmosphere in the Scottland camp as they approach the final day of the NRSL championship race on Friday.
The NRSL disciplinary committee had ruled on Monday that Karoi United were at fault for the abandonment of their match against Scottland at Chikangwe, which had been tied 1-1 at the time.
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Scottland, owned by ZANU PF MP Pedzai Sakupwanya, climbed to the top of the NRSL after being awarded a 3-0 victory over Karoi United for an abandoned match.
With this decision, Scottland now holds 84 points from 37 games, leading MWOS by two points, who have 82 points from the same number of matches.
Football stakeholders suspect corruption in handling the matter, given the departure from precedent in dealing with abandoned matches.
For example, in 2018, a match between Bindura United and Mushowani Stars was abandoned in the 80th minute at 2-2 after referee Langton Chitata was assaulted by an unknown assailant.
Bindura was fined US$1500, and Mushowani was cautioned, but the 2-2 result stood.
Similarly, in the following season, a Northern Region Soccer League match between Black Rhinos and Mushowani was abandoned in the 80th minute, also at 2-2, after referee Nelson Mawanda was assaulted.
Both Rhinos and Mushowani were fined US$2000, but the 2-2 result remained.
In contrast, for the Karoi United vs. Scottland match, the Disciplinary Committee cancelled the 1-1 scoreline and awarded Scottland the win, benefiting them with just one match left in the season and providing a clear advantage over MWOS.
Scottland will host Black Mambas at Rufaro Stadium, while MWOS will face Agama at Ngoni Stadium on Friday in the final round of fixtures.
MWOS can still secure the sole ticket to the Premier Soccer League if they win and Scottland draw, thanks to their superior goal difference of plus-3.
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