from DANAI MWARUMBWA in Harare, Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe Bureau
(CAJ News)

Log leaders and newcomers Hardrock and defending champions Scottland are neck and neck in the Premier Soccer League (PSL).

Matters came to a head this week amid allegations that Scottland attempted to bribe a Caps United goalkeeper ahead of the match between the two sides at Rufaro Stadium in Harare on Thursday.

The goalkeeper reportedly turned down the approach to influence the match, which Scottland won 1-0 against fifth-placed Caps United to keep the title race alive.

Kenyan officials handled the match following fears that local referees could be compromised.

Yvonne Manwa, Chief Executive Officer of the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA), in a statement attributed to her, reminded PSL governors of their responsibility to uphold the highest standards of integrity, professionalism and fair play in all football activities.

“The integrity of our game remains non-negotiable,” she stated.

“ZIFA maintains a firm zero-tolerance policy towards match manipulation, corruption and any conduct that undermines the credibility of football.”

ZIFA has told the clubs that it expects them to ensure their officials, players, technical teams and representatives conduct themselves in a manner that protects the reputation and values of the game.

This is in compliance with the applicable ZIFA, Confederation of African Football and Federation of African Football Associations regulations governing ethics, integrity and competitions.

“As custodians of Zimbabwean football, let us collectively safeguard the integrity of our competitions to ensure that every result is determined solely by merit, commitment and performance on the field of play.”

Hardrock top the 18-team log with 69 points and two rounds of matches remaining.

Scottland are second, five points behind, but have a game in hand.

Hardrock are aiming to emulate Scottland by winning the league in their first-ever season.

Between 2007 and 2010, at the height of economic hardships, Asiagate, a massive match-fixing scandal, rocked Zimbabwe.

Players, coaches and officials of the senior national football team and local clubs took bribes from Asian betting syndicates to influence match outcomes.