The Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) have expelled Zimbabwe from the qualifying series of the 2018 World Cup
According to FIFA, The expulsion comes as a result of the inability of the Zimbabwe Football Federation (ZIFA) to pay outstanding debt to coach Jose Claudinei Georgini.
Jose Georgini, a Brazilian popularly known as Valinhos, coached Zimbabwe in 2008.
FIFA said ZIFA had failed to pay the outstanding amount despite twice being ordered to do so by the world football governing body’s disciplinary committee.
After being ordered the second time, FIFA waarned ZIFA that they would be expelled from the World Cup qualifiers if they do not comply.
“ZIFA was informed that the expulsion would be ordered automatically without any further decision needed from the FIFA Disciplinary Committee and, once more, ZIFA did not appeal the decision,” said FIFA.
“Given ZIFA’s failure to make any payment within the granted periods and the request presented by the creditor, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee – in line with its second decision – ordered the expulsion of ZIFA from the preliminary competition of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia.”
The African zone qualifiers are due to kick off in October, with the draw to be made in St Petersburg in July.
