Another twist at the ongoing National Division One Playoffs 2024-25 has seen Mathkat FC being ordered to forfeit their match against Solwezi Academy after it was discovered that the club fielded an ineligible player, Farai Diego Gwarazimba.
The decision was made by the FAZ committee following a thorough investigation into the matter, as confirmed in a ruling availed to the ZamFoot Crew.
According to the findings, Gwarazimba was registered as an official with Mathkat FC, bearing the FAZ ID number 089955M05. However, he was listed on the match return form as a player, which is a clear breach of the FAZ Player Registration and Transfer Regulations. The committee noted that Mathkat FC attempted to circumvent player registration requirements by using Gwarazimba’s official registration to participate in the match.
The investigation also revealed that another record for Gwarazimba, FAZ # 113351M05, was created as a player by Club registrar Noah Mwema. However, this record was not used on the match return sheet.
The committee dismissed complaints against Mathkat FC regarding the eligibility of players Kingsley Mukuka and Paul Chasha, as their registrations were found to be valid.
In accordance with Rule 6.1 of the FAZ National Division One Playoffs 2025 Tournament Rules, the match in which the ineligible player was fielded shall be forfeited, and the opposing team awarded a 3-0 victory. The committee has ruled that Mathkat FC shall forfeit the match to Solwezi Academy by 3-0 and award Solwezi Academy three points.
The decision serves as a warning to other participants in the competition, emphasizing the importance of adhering to FAZ regulations and maintaining sporting integrity.
The committee reminded all clubs to observe a respectable decorum towards each other and all parties involved in the competition, without resorting to unsavory utterances and activities.
PLAYER REGISTRATION & ELIGIBILITY REVIEW – MATHKAT FC (2024-25 SEASON)
Subject: Fielding of an Ineligible Player -{Farai Diego Gwarazimba)
Reference: Complaint lodged by Solwezi Academy
Match ID: C3
Date of Match: 06-18-2025
Competition: National Division One Playoffs 2024-25
Following a review of the match return forms and registration records for Mathkat FC, the following observations are noted:
1. Facts Noted:
– Kingsley Mukuka:
– The registration under Mathkat 037035M97 has historical authenticity.
– The previous registration does not affect the integrity of the current registration under Mathkat FC, as the player in question has had numerous valid registrations over the years culminating to the present status.
– Paul Chasha:
– Registered with Mathkat FC. Zesco Luapula is defunct. These previous registrations do not affect the integrity of the current registration.
– Farai Diego Gwarazimba
– The submitted match return displays Gwarazimba Farai jerseys number 09 with FAZ # 089955M05 under Mathkat FC.
– The FAZ ID used on the match return form corresponds to an active registration of Gwarazimba Farai as an official at Mathkat.
– Further investigation reveals that another record for Gwarazimba Farai FAZ # 113351M05 was created as a player by Club registrar Noah Mwema. This is not the record that was placed on the Match return sheet.
2. Use of an Official in a FAZ competition
– Mathkat FC is found to have clearly used the identity of an official by listing FAZ # “089955M05” on the match return form, despite the fact that the defendant attempts to validate such an action by claiming that the person in question also has another registration as a player (which in itself creates another problem for Mathkat for registering a player as an official cannot be easily dismissed as a “mistake” as instructions pertaining to registration are legible for any person to clearly discern through basic guidelines in the system when registering an individual. An official is clearly labeled CLUB OFFICIAL and cannot be mistaken for a registration involving PLAYER REGISTRATION.
It is clear that the Officials registration was an attempt at circumventing player registration requirements and that action and intent has in this case revealed itself by no one else but the Club itself by featuring a registered club official in the fixture against Solwezi Academy.
– This act constitutes a breach of the FAZ Player Registration and Transfer Regulations relating to:
– Club Officials fall outside the FIFA and FAZ player regulations and therefore cannot participate in matches purporting to be a player as was in this case
3. Considerations:
– On complaint against the use of Kingsley Mukuka, the claim lacks merit and is dismissed.
– On the complaint against the use of Paul Chasha, the claim lacks merit and is dismissed.
– On the complaint against the use of Farai Diego Gwarazimba as a player, the claim has been upheld. Forfeiture of the match is pronounced in which an official purporting to be a player was fielded, as exhibited by the FAZ # 089955M05 displayed on the Mathkat FC Match return sheet.
4. Basis for Sanction:
The sanction against Mathkat FC is grounded in the following provisions of the FAZ Player Status regulations 5 (5.5) and National Division One Playoffs 2025 Tournament Rules 6(6.1):
– Regulation 5, especially Paragraph 5.5:
“Under all circumstances, due consideration must be given to the sporting integrity of the competition…”
– Rule 6, Paragraph 6.1 – Winning of Matches:
“If a team forfeits a game for any reason, the match shall be scored as a 3-0 win for the declared winner.”
Mathkat FC breached Regulation 5 by submitting an official as a player. The person’s registration as official effectively rendered that person ineligible to participate in FAZ league or competition under that position.
In accordance with Rule 6.1 of the FAZ National Division One Playoffs 2025 Tournament Rules, the match in which the ineligible player was fielded shall be forfeited, and the opposing team awarded a 3-0 victory.
For avoidance of doubt, the committee having reviewed facts as presented by both parties and through an investigation of the FAZ system hereby declares that the complaint by Solwezi Academy has merit and rules as follows;
1. That Mathkat shall forfeit the match to Solwezi Academy by 3 – 0 and 3 points
2. That Mathkat should be wary of use of the person in question in further matches.
That this should serve as a warning to other participants on the great responsibility that club and team officials carry in their duties when administering their respective entities. Attempts to circumvent rules and regulations, football systems and clearly stipulate football guidelines shall inadvertently result in loss by any party involved in questionable action, not to mention the collective damage towards others of the same entity whether it be a player, team official or fan.
As a reminder, all clubs are required to observe a respectable decorum towards each other and all parties involved in this competition without resorting to unsavory utterances and activities.
