Zimbabwe rocked by matchfixing bans

The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) has suspended 67 players from the national team after revelations of widespread matchfixing.

A member of the coaching staff, Joey Antipas, also admitted to having accepted bribes from an Asian betting syndicate led by Wilson Raj Perumal, a man jailed in Finland as a result of his involvement in match fixing.

According to the Associated Press, ZIFA uncovered that players and the coach were paid sums of money to lose exhibition matches on trips to Asia from 2007 to 2009.

Notable players that have been banned until further notice are Method Mwanjali, Daniel Vheremu, Benjamin Marere, Thomas Sweswe, Nyasha Mushekwi, Khama Billiat, and Ovidy Karuru.

The decision to suspend the players came during an emergency board meeting to determine the causes for Zimbabwe’s elimination from 2012 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifying.

The suspended elements will be unable to represent their country unless they are able to clear the body’s ethics committee.

Players and coaches have not been the only ones affected by the probe as ZIFA was forced to suspend three of its own board members for their possible involvement in the scandal.