FAZ Could Move Ahead With Elections

The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) claims it is in a position to move ahead with the 2020 elections that were scheduled to go ahead this month.

According to FAZ’s lawyers, PNP Advocates, the High Court order to stay proceedings in the High Court pending appeal means that the execution of any related orders has equally been suspended. They claim that this includes the order to stay FAZ Elections and AGM.

While Sports Minister Emmanuel Mulenga announced an Emergency Annual General Meeting for FAZ stakeholders would be held in a bid to resolve various disagreements earlier this month, the six FAZ elected provincial chairpersons for the 2020-2024 tenure subsequently rejected calls for the meeting.

Instead the six agreed to wait for the arrival of FIFA emissary and Member Associations Officer Veron Mosengo-Omba in May.

FAZ General Secretary Adrian Kashala has previously voiced concern that attempts to interfere in the body’s election process could result in a ban for Zambia by FIFA.

“…from the time we started hosting the elections that there were some people who wanted to stop us from proceeding with the elections. We knew this from a long time ago that several individuals are not happy that we have gone ahead with the elections despite us doing the right thing and following procedure in whatever we are doing,” Kashala has been quoted as stating.

The international body had warned FAZ that outside interference in the process could see Zambia suspended and as a result banned from all fixtures and tournaments including the CAF Champions league and the Confederations Cup.

“We would like to remind FAZ that FIFA attaches importance to the obligation of all its member associations to manage their affairs independently and ensure that all its affairs are not influenced by any third party. We further wish to underline that the violation of the obligations laid down by FAZ or its members may lead to sanctions as provided for in the FIFA statutes, including a possible suspension,” FIFA previously cautioned.

Minister Mulenga has reiterated that government has no preferred candidate for the FAZ Presidency, rejecting claims by Kalusha Bwalwa and Andrew Kamanga that he is biased.