FIFA has issued a strong warning to the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) following a recent proposal from the National Sports Council of Zambia (NSCZ) regarding the establishment of a transitional committee, an independent electoral committee, and a comprehensive review of the electoral process.
In a letter to FAZ General Secretary Reuben Kamanga, FIFA highlighted concerns that such directives by the NSCZ could violate the organization’s statutes, potentially leading to sanctions, including suspension.
The letter refers to a communication from the NSCZ, dated 27 February 2025, which proposed the creation of a transitional committee, an independent electoral committee, and a review of the electoral process. FIFA reiterated that under its statutes, member associations, including FAZ, are required to operate independently of third-party interference, including from government bodies. This is in accordance with Article 14, Paragraph 1, and Article 19, Paragraph 1, of the FIFA Statutes.
FIFA emphasized that any breach of this independence could lead to serious consequences. In particular, FIFA warned that if the transitional committee were to be established as proposed, FAZ could face sanctions, including potential suspension, as outlined in Article 14, Paragraph 3 of FIFA’s statutes.
“We would like to remind you that every member association of FIFA is statutorily obliged to manage its affairs independently and without undue influence from third parties, including governmental bodies (cf. art. 14 par. 1 let i) and art. 19 par. 1 of the FIFA Statutes),” read the letter in part. “Any breach of this obligation may lead to sanctions provided for in the FIFA Statutes, even if the third-party influence was not the fault of the member association concerned (cf. art. 14 par. 3 of the FIFA Statutes).
FIFA explains consquences of NSCZ’s directives
The World Football Governing Body said, “Should this Transitional Committee be indeed established, FAZ would be at risk of breaching the abovementioned statutory provision. Should this happen, FIFA will have no other option but to submit the matter to its relevant decision-making body for consideration and decision, which might also include the suspension of FAZ.”
“We kindly ask you to keep us informed regarding any further developments in this matter,” the letter concluded, underscoring FIFA’s commitment to ensuring that FAZ’s governance remains free from external influence.
The NSCZ issued these directives after nine aspiring candidates for FAZ president were disqualified from challenging the incumbent, Andrew Kamanga, before the appeals committee overturned the decision of four others.
On February 17, Kamanga was declared the ‘winner’ of the upcoming polls after it was revealed that he was the only candidate in the race to receive a successful nomination out of the nine who had filed.
However, the NSCZ stated that it would not recognise him as FAZ president after February 28.
Meanwhile, the FAZ elections are scheduled for March 29, 2025, in Livingstone.
Those challenging Kamanga in the contest are former FAZ general secretary Adrian Kashala, Lusaka lawyer and FC MUZA proprietor Keith Mweemba, and former Chipolopolo vice-captain Emmanuel Munaile as well as FAZ executive committee member Francis Hafwiti.
READ MORE: FAZ Appeals Committee Overturns Kamanga’s Re-election, Clears Path for Four Others in Race
