The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) and Premier Soccer League (PSL) have been formally asked to investigate an alleged attempt to influence CAPS United players before their league match against Scottland FC. Lawyer Lonias Rozvi Majoni submitted a detailed report to ZIFA chief executive officer Yvonne Manwa and the PSL, requesting preliminary inquiries by the football authorities' independent ethics, disciplinary and club-licensing bodies.
The submission follows a leaked audio recording in late October involving CAPS United goalkeeper Washington Arubi and a woman identified as Bridgette Mudhosi. In the recording, Mudhosi allegedly asked Arubi to help her approach other CAPS United players before their crucial match against Scottland at Rufaro Stadium. She reportedly claimed that she had been "sent by Scott", an apparent reference to Scottland owner Pedzai "Scott" Sakupwanya.
Scottland has denied sending Mudhosi or authorising anyone to approach CAPS United players. The club said it had no official by that name within its structures and described the allegations as an attempt to damage its reputation. The authenticity and complete circumstances surrounding the recording have not been independently established, and there has been no finding of wrongdoing against Scottland, Sakupwanya, Mudhosi or any other person.
Majoni wants the football authorities to secure the original recording, obtain the relevant device metadata with the owner's consent and subject the audio to independent forensic authentication. He also wants investigators to identify the speakers, obtain written accounts from CAPS United and Scottland, and preserve the match commissioner's and match officials' reports.
The proposed inquiry would seek to establish whether anyone bound by ZIFA's ethics and disciplinary regulations authorised, knew about or participated in the alleged approach. Majoni also wants ZIFA to determine whether any person who became aware of the alleged conduct failed to meet a duty to report suspected match manipulation. His report specifically states that no wrongdoing is alleged against Arubi, who rejected the approach.
ZIFA issued a warning before the match, reaffirming its zero-tolerance position on match manipulation and corruption. The association reminded clubs that officials, players, technical teams and representatives were expected to behave in a manner that protected the reputation and values of the sport. PSL chairman Isaiah Mupfurutsa urged anyone possessing credible evidence of match manipulation to lodge a formal report.
Majoni's submission goes beyond the leaked recording and asks ZIFA to examine allegations concerning the ownership and control of Scottland and Hunters FC. Questions have previously been raised over whether Sakupwanya or business interests associated with him exercise influence over both clubs. The concerns initially emerged after newly promoted Hunters entered into an arrangement involving N'ombeyaora, a club reportedly associated with Sakupwanya.
Key points
- ZIFA and PSL to investigate alleged approach to CAPS United players
- Scottland denies allegations of attempting to influence CAPS United players
- Investigation to examine ownership and control of Scottland and Hunters FC
