HOW THE FIFA CODE OF ETHICS MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR ZIFA BOSS MAGWIZI TO ACCEPT WICKNELL’S DREAM GIFT

IT was the gift of dreams–a brand new 2026 Range Rover Sport D350 Autobiography Limited Edition, which cost a whooping US$250,000 to acquire. Businessman and philanthropist, Wicknell Chivayo, who now has a significant interest in domestic football, unveiled the gift on Monday. He said it was meant to honour ZIFA president Nqobile Magwizi for the excellent job he has done in leading ZIFA since he took over as the association’s president in January last year.

Last month, Magwizi marked his first year in charge of the national game. But, Zimpapers Sport revealed yesterday that Magwizi cannot accept the gift without violating the FIFA Code of Ethics which, in the worst case scenario, could see him losing his post as the overall leader of domestic football. Article 20 of the FIFA Code of Ethics deals with ‘offering and accepting gifts and other benefits,’ and reads: Chivayo has business links with Scottland and Highlanders, clubs which fall under the supervision of Magwizi, as the overall leader of domestic football.

ZIFA provide the referees who handle matches in the domestic Premiership and Magwizi, as the boss of the association, would have found himself in a compromising position. Or, in the event of a dispute between the two clubs, and their rivals in the domestic Premiership, ZIFA would have found themselves in a difficult position to intervene. “Breaching this Code, or any other FIFA rules and regulations by persons bound by this Code, are punishable by one or more of the following sanctions: Yesterday, Zimpapers Sports Hub revealed that while Magwizi appreciates Chivayo’s gift, his hands were tied by the FIFA Code of Ethics.

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Chivayo has of late been one of local football biggest benefactors, supporting mostly the national team, Scottland and Highlanders. Zimpapers Sports Hub understands ZIFA hold the businessman in high regards and appreciate the big difference he has made in football. Just yesterday, Chivayo handed over a luxury bus to Highlanders.

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