Petros Kausiyo, Zimpapers Sports Hub
HIGHLANDERS have become the latest Premier Soccer League club to incur the wrath of the Fifa Disciplinary Committee with the Bulawayo giants being banned from dealing on the transfer market due to their failure to pay their former coach, Baltemar Brito his salaries.
In a scenario similar to the circumstances that befell their Premiership rivals Yadah Stars, last year, Bosso have been slapped with a ban from registering new players internationally and on the domestic front.
This is because the Premiership giants owe Brito and his then assistant at Bosso, Antonio Joao Torres some outstanding salaries. Brito is owed US$14 778 with the debt accruing an additional US$237.71 in interest as of October 17, 2024.
Similarly, his trusted lieutenant Torres is owed US$11 788 plus interest of $193.74 as at October 17 2024. Fifa, also indicated that the debts would accrue interest of five percent per annum until Bosso settle their dues.
The coaches took their matter to Fifa after failing to find recourse with Highlanders in a matter that has dragged on since last year. Highlanders were then given a 45-day window period within which to pay off the Brazilian coaches but could not meet the deadline. And as was the case with Yadah, who are also on a Fifa ban from registering players for three transfer windows, it is Brazilian nationals – Joao Pedro Marques Barcellos, Juan Luciano Faria and Deivid Pereira de Brito – at play. And as was the case when Zifa were handed a Fifa ban from participating in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers, another Brazilian — Jose Claudinei Georgini, better known as Valinhos was the complainant.
Just like Valinhos, Brito also briefly took charge of the Warriors, while he was still the Bosso gaffer and had reportedly been a favourite of Lincoln Mutasa’s Normalisation Committee’s to become substantive national coach.
Lincoln Mutasa
That was before delays in appointing a coach forced the Normalisation Committee to undertake another round of interviews, which then saw German Michael Nees, emerging the successful candidate.
For Bosso, who have been looking to reboot their squad following the departures of key players like Lynoth Chikuhwa, Godfrey Makaruse, Peter Muduhwa and Marvelous Chigumira, the Fifa ban from registering new players, could scupper Zambian coach Kelvin Kaindu’s plans.
Fifa confirmed the Bosso ban in a letter from their disciplinary committee to the Bulawayo giants and, which was also copied to the Confederation of African Football (Caf), Zifa and the coaches’ handlers. Implementation of the ban on January 29, Americo
Espallargas, Fifa head of disciplinary also implored on Zifa to ensure that the ban is implemented after noting that Highlanders are still to pay Brito. “Registration ban implementation “Dear Madam, Dear Sir, “We refer to the above-mentioned matter, as well as the decision passed by Fifa in the matter ref. no. FPSD-16612 (the Decision),’’wrote Espallargas. “In this context, it appears that, despite the Decision, Highlanders FC (the Respondent) has not yet complied with its financial obligations towards Baltemar Jose de Oliveira Brito.
“In this regard, we wish to inform the parties that a ban from registering new players internationally has been implemented by Fifa on the Respondent.
HIGHLANDERS FC
“The registration ban will remain active until the amount due is paid and for a maximum duration of up to three entire and consecutive registration periods.
“Lastly, the Zimbabwe Football Association is requested to immediately implement on the Respondent a ban from registering new players at national level, if not done yet. We thank you for your kind attention to the above and for your valuable co-operation’’. Before taking the drastic action via their disciplinary committee, Fifa had warned Highlanders about paying their coaches last year. And just like Zifa in March 2015 and Yadah in July last year, Bosso did not act on time to avert the Fifa penalty.
Earlier correspondence from Fifa in October last year to Bosso and copied to all the concerned parties, the world football governing body, gave the club an insight into the kind of sanctions they would face. “The Respondent shall be banned from registering any new players, either nationally or internationally, up until the due amount is paid,’’ wrote Erika Montemor Ferreira, Fifa Head of Disputes and Regulatory Applications.
“The maximum duration of the ban shall be of up to three entire and consecutive registration periods.
“The present matter shall be submitted, upon request, to the Fifa Disciplinary Committee in the event that full payment (including all applicable interest) is still not made by the end of the three entire and consecutive registration periods.
“The consequences shall only be enforced at the request of the Claimant in accordance with art. 8 par. 7 and 8 of Annexe 2 of the Regulations.
“Costs If the Claimant has paid an advance of costs in this matter, it is entitled to reimbursement of the full amount. The reimbursement shall be made to the same bank account from which the payment was made’’.
A similar letter was made in the name of Torres.
Highlanders’ chief executive officer Brian Moyo yesterday acknowledged the Fifa ban but indicated that his club were making frantic efforts to make good on their debt in time before the domestic transfer window closes ahead of the start of the 2025 Castle Lager Premiership season.
Moyo, while admitting that they were caught between a rock and hard place, remained optimistic that they would, with the help of their corporate partners, settle with Fifa on time.
“Yes, it is true, the club owes the foreign coaches,’’ Moyo said.
“Efforts are underway to remedy the situation asap in time to not lose out on the transfer window.
Kelvin kaindu
“We are working round the clock with our partners and in full consultation with the Reserve Bank in order to remain inside of funds transfer (regulations)’’.
The Bosso CEO insisted that his club would “do the needful’’ and ensure their coaches are afforded a chance to bring in players to bolster their domestic campaign. Highlanders have now gone 19 years since their former player and coach Methembe Ndlovu guided them to the league championship.
Following his return to the club in December 2023, many Bosso faithful are hoping that 2025 could be the year that Kelvin Kaindu could lead them to the Promised Land. But that is only if the Zambian coach, who starred for Highlanders during his playing days, is afforded a chance to bring in more local and international players on the basis that Bosso would have cleared their name with Fifa
