Dynamos , ZIFA Clash Over Football Governance
18 January 2025
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Sports Correspondent

Dynamos Football Club has filed an urgent chamber application in the High Court of Zimbabwe, challenging recent decisions and governance structures within the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) and the Premier Soccer League (PSL).

The application, which includes a request for a declaratory order, seeks to address what Dynamos believes are unlawful actions that undermine its constitutional governance and the broader integrity of football in Zimbabwe.

At the heart of the dispute is the ZIFA Congress meeting held on October 18, 2024, during which delegates passed resolutions to amend the ZIFA 2013 Constitution.

According to Dynamos Football Club, the congress was “not properly constituted” and the resolutions passed were “unlawful and null.”

The application highlights that the election of delegates, particularly those from Dynamos (Private) Limited, was irregular, thus calling into question the legitimacy of the entire AGM and the constitutionally dubious outcomes.

Dynamos Football Club, founded in 1963, argues that it has a direct and substantial interest in ensuring the lawful governance of its affairs. The club asserts that the ongoing involvement of Dynamos (Private) Limited in PSL and ZIFA matters is a violation of its rights as enshrined in the 1963 Constitution, and that “the formation and participation of Dynamos Football Club (Private) Limited in the PSL and ZIFA processes undermine the Applicant’s constitutional governance structure.”

Moreover, Dynamos has raised concerns about the upcoming ZIFA Executive Committee elections, scheduled for January 25, 2024. The club claims that the elections, held after the adoption of the amended ZIFA Constitution, risk perpetuating “illegality” due to the involvement of delegates from Dynamos (Private) Limited, among others, who may not have legitimate standing. This, Dynamos argues, would further entrench governance issues within the football association and jeopardize the integrity of the election process.

A key point in the application is the expired terms of certain ZIFA Congress Delegates, including those representing Dynamos. These expired terms, according to Dynamos, render the delegate’s participation in the AGM and subsequent decisions invalid. This situation is viewed by the club as a significant “procedural irregularity” that compromises the legitimacy of the meeting, warranting judicial intervention to suspend the actions of Dynamos (Private) Limited, PSL, and ZIFA until the matter is resolved.

In a further effort to protect its constitutional rights, Dynamos has called for a declaratory order that would nullify the actions and existence of Dynamos (Private) Limited.

The club contends that the continued recognition of the private entity by PSL and ZIFA threatens the preservation of its governance structures, potentially causing long-term harm.

“The governance crisis within the PSL and ZIFA, exacerbated by the actions of unauthorized entities, underscores the public importance of the matter,” Dynamos states in its application. The club argues that urgent judicial intervention is required to restore order, uphold the rule of law, and ensure that the governance of football in Zimbabwe remains transparent and accountable.

Dynamos Football Club’s application has sparked debate regarding the governance of football in the country and has brought attention to the broader issues of transparency and legitimacy within ZIFA and the PSL. The court’s decision on the matter is expected to have significant implications for the future of Zimbabwean football governance.