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Page last updated at 20:43 GMT, Tuesday, 5 October 2010 21:43 UK

Zambia risk Fifa ban over FAZ enquiry

By Kennedy Gondwe
BBC Sport, Lusaka

Violet Bwalya (L) and Henshel Chitembeya
Violet Bwalya and Chitembeya have quit FAZ

In a move likely to incur the wrath of Fifa, Zambia's sports authorities have set up a commission to investigate the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ).

FAZ is in turmoil after four officials resigned claiming they had issues with Kalusha Bwalya's leadership style.

This prompted the Sports Council of Zambia, a government body, to set up a committee to investigate FAZ.

Under Fifa rules, national football associations must not be subject to government control.

But Sports Council of Zambia chairman Chifumu Banda insists he is concerned with what has besieged the country's top sport.

"The sports council operates under an act of parliament. We are merely following the provisions of the law," Banda said.

"Of course as senior members of the Sports Council, we are very familiar with Fifa statutes and we know what we can do and what we can't."

This comes few days days after fours members of FAZ's executive committee quit their positions citing "lack of transparency and consultation" in the way FAZ is run.

Committee members Emmanuel Munaile, Henshel Chitembeya, Pivoty Simwanza and Violet Bwalya announced their departures last week saying they had major issues with FAZ president Kalusha Bwalya's management style.

In response, Bwalya took umbrage at the trio's departure, believing it to be symptomatic of attempts to undermine him.

The 1988 African Footballer of the Year told journalists that his management style has always been underpinned by a spirit of dialogue, reconciliation and inclusiveness.

"Unfortunately, this has been taken by some to mean weakness on my part," the FAZ president commented.

Zambia's most decorated footballer has previously expressed deep frustration at his inability to form a consensus around key issues affecting the governance of the game.

He added that it was incumbent upon all football administrators "to rise above pettiness and stop attacking individuals."



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Zambia FA rocked by resignations
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New Zambia coach sets out plans
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Bwalya dreams again
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Bwalya is elected Zambia FA boss
30 Mar 08 |  African
Anderlecht get Zambian youngsters
30 Jul 10 |  African
The day a nation cried
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