FIFA has sanctioned Zimbabwe for boycotting the second leg of the second round tie of the African Women’s Olympic Qualifiers against Zambia on September 1.
The match, that was scheduled to be played at National Sports Stadium following a 5-0 first-leg loss in Lusaka, saw the hosts not showing up as its players protested over unpaid entitlements.
Reports say that the match’s abandonment was due to the withdrawal of players by domestic clubs following the country’s football body’s failure to fulfil its promise to offset their wages.
“When we went to Zambia there was an agreement that when we return we would get our money from COSAFA,’’ a source informed Zimbabwe newspaper, The Herald.
“So, when we came back, there was no money. I think they did not agree with ZIFA, then clubs took players from camp. The players just went home and no one returned. The main issue is about money.
“For COSAFA, it’s $4 500 but we have not received anything. For the Zambia game (first leg) they agreed with clubs and the players got US$150 for that particular game just before we left.
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“When they presented the US$150 that’s when clubs released players but the money was just for that away game and not for the home game.”