Zambia’s women’s team could be disqualified from the Paris Olympics following allegations of money laundering and “undue influence of third parties” against the president of the football association.
The team faces a suspension from FIFA after president Andrew Kamanga, who has been president of the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) since 2016, was accused last week of using almost $25,000 of FIFA money. government that he obtained under false pretexts to finance trips by two of his associations to the African Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast this year.
The general secretary of the FAZ, Reuben Kamanga, was also arrested and charged, as well as two other people who traveled to the tournament as part of the association’s delegation.
The charges also include money laundering and conspiracy to defraud, which all four men deny.
Following these allegations, the Zambian High Court issued an injunction preventing FAZ from holding its annual general meeting, raising red flags with FIFA, world football’s governing body.
The head of FIFA’s member associations, Kenny Jean-Marie, subsequently wrote to FAZ stating that the failure to hold the Annual General Assembly “clearly appears to amount to undue influence by third parties”.
It noted “with great concern” the charges against the President and Secretary-General of Zambia and requested additional documents and information relating to the case.
The letter said the cancellation of the AGM could lead to Zambia’s suspension from all international competitions, which would mean the women’s national team, which qualified for the Olympics for the second time this year, could be disqualified. before a ball is kicked.
FIFA has previously suspended nations where governments or courts have interfered in the functioning of their member associations, such as India, Zimbabwe and Kenya in 2022, as well as Nigeria in 2014.
“The order of the High Court of Zambia of 24 April 2024 clearly appears to constitute undue influence by third parties which could be considered a violation of Article 19(1) of the FIFA Statutes and Article 7(1). g., of the CAF. Statutes,” the letter said.
“For the avoidance of doubt, please note that violation of the aforementioned provisions of the FIFA and CAF Statutes may result in suspension from the FAZ, regardless of whether the violation was attributed to the FAZ or not.
“We would like to remind you that a suspended member association cannot exercise any of its membership rights. Representative teams and affiliated clubs of this federation will no longer be able to participate in international competitions until the suspension is lifted.”
Zambia qualified for the Olympics after defeating Morocco 3-2 in a two-leg continental playoff this year. The team was included in Group B with Australia, Germany and the United States.
The FAZ issued a statement on Monday confirming that “a FIFA ban would mean non-participation in the Olympic Games for our Copper Queens, Chipolopolo (the senior men’s team) will not participate in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers, the “U17 girls will lose the World Cup qualifiers, and the senior women’s team will not be able to participate in the WAFCON (Women’s African Cup of Nations) for which they have already qualified.”
He added that he was “hopeful” to find a solution before the suspension takes place, and that he “has taken it upon himself to fully comply with all possibilities that can ensure that Zambia avoids a possible sanction from FIFA.”
If Zambia is suspended from the Olympics, the team could be replaced by Morocco in Group B.
The senior women’s team is led by coach Bruce Mwape, who is believed to be under investigation by FIFA following allegations of sexual misconduct before and during the 2023 Women’s World Cup. He has denied the claims.