Asiagate: Three Journalists Face Warriors Reporting Ban

The ban will be lifted once the three journalists are cleared by the association’s ethics committee.

The journalists whose names were given to Radio VOP were named by players in a damning report over the shadowy games played by the Warriors from 2007 to 2010.

Sources said ZIFA Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Mashingaidze wrote to the media houses where the journalists were employed last week confirming their suspension.

“It is common knowledge that three journalists have been implicated in the Asiagate saga and now after the suspension of over 80 players, pressure has mounted on the football association to stop the trio from covering Warriors’ matches,” a ZIFA source told Radio VOP on Monday.

However, ZIFA Communications officer Nicky Dhlamini said she was not aware of any communication between the association and any media house when asked for a comment.

“I am not aware of any communication between ZIFA and any particular media house over the suspension or banning of journalists from covering National team matches.

“However I am aware of communication between ZIFA and regional body COSAFA which sought to request COSAFA to deny accreditation to a few journalists whose names I am not at liberty to disclose from covering matches involving the Warriors,” Dhlamini said.

Mashingaidze could not be contacted for comment as he was still in Gabon where he travelled for the African Cup of Nations final between Ivory Coast and Zambia.

Footballers, top coaches, football officials and senior journalists face imminent arrest over their role in Zimbabwe’s match-fixing scandals that have since drawn the attention of FIFA boss Sepp Blatter.

Former ZIFA Chief Executive Officer, Henrietta Rushwaya was arrested last week and released on bail. She is believed to be the mastermind of the match fixing scandal that has rocked the local football world.

The Zimbabwe national team played a series of soccer matches in Asia in 2009 whose results were determined by betting syndicates working in cahoots with local football officials, national team coaches, selected players and local sports journalists.