April 29 – The Football Association of Zambia suspended their annual general assembly (AGM) on Saturday following a court order, despite FIFA warning of the danger of possible sanctions because of third-party interference.
FAZ finds itself in turmoil after FAZ chairman Andrew Kamanga was arrested and briefly held by police before being charged with money laundering early this year at the African Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.
Kamanga was charged alongside FAZ general secretary Reuben Kamanga and two FAZ support staff, Madalitso Kamanga and Jairous Siame.
The sum involved was $17,000 and had been provided by the government for expenses and return flights to Ivory Coast.
The arrest prompted FIFA to direct the FA to stage their annual general assembly (AGM) on Saturday, but a court ruling prevented FAZ from doing so.
FAZ said the postponement of its AGM was indefinite because of the court order.
“The meeting was unable to takeoff due to the sustained injunction by the High Court. We had respectfully turned up at the court to apply for the discharge of the injunction but the court has declined our application and set a new date for interparte hearing which is Thursday,” said Reuben Kamanga.
A day earlier, on Friday, FIFA had laid down the law in a letter signed by chief member associations officer Jean-Marie Kenny, who reminded FAZ that in FIFA’s view the court injunction amounted to undue influence by third parties.
“We took note with great concern that the FAZ President, two standing committee Members and yourself, were jointly charged and arrested by the relevant authorities for a number of counts mentioned in your correspondence,” read the letter.
“In addition, please note that the order of the High Court of Zambia dated 24 April 2024 appears to clearly amount to undue influence by third parties which could be considered as a violation of Article 19 paragraph 1 of the FIFA Statutes and Article 7 paragraph 1.g. of the CAF Statutes.”
Kenny added that failure to hold the AGM by FAZ would provide possible grounds for suspension. FIFA has given FAZ until April 30 to provide comprehensive information before considering further steps.
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