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ZIMBABWE were thrown out of the 2018 World Cup qualifying yesterday for failing to pay their national team coach.
Fifa’s disciplinary committee said they took the action “as a result of the non-payment of an outstanding debt” by Zimbabwe’s federation (Zifa) to Jose Claudinei Georgini.
The decision was announced just as the first match in the global World Cup qualifying programme was kicking off in Asia.
Zimbabwe’s removal spoils Fifa’s recent claim of a first qualifying campaign where all its member federations would play.
Zimbabwe have been ordered several times over of the past two-and-a-half years to pay Claudinei but have not done so.
Zifa is desperately short of cash, and is reportedly selling off assets — including an artificial pitch donated by Fifa, a tractor and furniture from a training facility.
The federation needs the money after a court told them to pay another former employee £60,000.
Zimbabwe has never qualified for the World Cup. African nations will start to play qualifiers in October.
