FIFA Bans Zimbabwe from 2018 World Cup Qualifiers

The Zimbabwe Football Federation announced that it will appeal FIFA's decision to ban the country from participating in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers due to unpaid wages to its former coach, José Claudinei Georgini. According to the Associated Press, FIFA's Disciplinary Committee stated on Thursday, March 21, that the reason for Zimbabwe's ban was the failure to pay overdue wages to Georgini, who coached the national team until 2008. The decision was announced after the first match of the qualifying round in East Asia, where Timor-Leste defeated Mongolia 4-1. FIFA had previously stated that this was the first qualifying round of the World Cup to include all member federations, but Zimbabwe's ban contradicts that promise. In August 2011, FIFA had already mandated the Zimbabwe Football Federation to pay the Brazilian coach's wages. Following Georgini's complaint, FIFA began disciplinary proceedings against the Zimbabwe Football Federation. In April 2013, FIFA gave the Zimbabwe Football Federation a 60-day deadline to pay half of the former national coach's debt and a 120-day deadline for the full payment of the Brazilian coach's debt. In its statement on Thursday, FIFA indicated that it had given the federation a final grace period to settle the overdue debt before imposing the ban. The statement read: 'Due to the non-payment of this debt, FIFA's Disciplinary Committee has banned Zimbabwe from participating in the qualifying round for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.' While FIFA stated that Zimbabwe did not file an appeal, the president of the Zimbabwe Football Federation said on Thursday that they would seek to appeal. Jonathan Mashingaidze, president of the Zimbabwe Football Federation (ZIFA), stated: 'This is a huge blow to Zimbabwean football. We have contacted FIFA and will file an appeal.' He added: 'The current management of ZIFA inherited this debt from previous leaders.' The Zimbabwe Football Federation is facing significant financial challenges stemming from the dire economic situation in the country. ZIFA has sold some sports facilities, including an artificial turf field donated by FIFA, to pay its debts, including a court ruling and an $80,000 debt to a former employee. A tractor and furniture from another sports facility have also been auctioned off. Additionally, some equipment from the federation's main office has been confiscated by court order. The Zimbabwe national football team has never qualified for the main World Cup competitions. The African qualifying matches for the 2018 World Cup are set to begin in October. Meanwhile, after a $6 million loan from Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov to the Russian Football Federation, Fabio Capello, the head coach of that national team, finally received his overdue wages last month.