Zim Daily
By Tapiwa Makore
4 July 2011
FIFA President Sepp Blatter arrived in Zimbabwe on a private jet Monday at the start of a two-day visit to meet administrators of the southern African nation’s controversy-mired game.
FIFA President Sepp Blatter (C) poses for photos with female footballers participating in the regional Confederation of Southern Africa Football Association (COSAFA) tournament in Harare on July 4, 2011.
State radio said he is expected to call on President Robert Mugabe and watch a women’s international match against Malawi later in the day. He will also inspect training facilities that urgently need funding in the troubled economy.
An advance party of four FIFA officials arrived Sunday, including two match-fixing investigators.
Last year, Zimbabwe captain Method Mwanjali and four team mates admitted taking money to lose matches on a 2009 tour to Thailand and Malaysia. Zimbabwe lost 3-0 to Thailand and 6-0 to Syria and the players said they were paid between $500 and $1,500.
Zimbabwe Sports Minister David Coltart said Monday he hopes the FIFA team, which includes its head of security Chris Eaton, will recommend punishment for those found guilty.
“Hopefully FIFA will stick by the (Zimbabwe) government’s determination to deal with corruption,†Coltart told The Associated Press. “We expect them to endorse that there has been criminality and prosecution must follow.â€