The FAZ Player’s Status and Transfer Committee has ruled that Zambia Under-20 striker Eneless Phiri’s move to Nkwazi Queens from Police Doves was within the confines of the FAZ Statutes.
Police Doves had objected to the transfer of Phiri to their sister club Nkwazi Queens on the directive of the police command.
Facts of the matter were that on 28th July 2022, Nkwazi Queens expressed interest to acquire the services of Phiri from Police Doves which request was rejected two days later.
The matter was adjudicated by the Lombe Mbalashi headed committee that sat on 22nd November 2022.
The police command issued a directive on account that as a sister club of the Police Doves, Nkwazi Queens was free to tap into the talent pool of the Solwezi based outfit.
Police Doves contended that they were not a feeder club to Nkwazi Queens as they were competing in the same league.
The Player Status Committee had to determine Eneless was a professional or amateur player.
“Both parties were given an opportunity to present their case. Categorically, the Respondent was asked to confirm whether the subject player was getting paid for footballing activities or whether she was on a salary. Police Doves Queens FC indicated that she was not remunerated for her footballing activities. In essence the Respondent confirmed that the player was an amateur,” reads part of the verdict.
“The PSC wants to reiterate that expenses incurred through involvements in match and training (E.G travel and hotel) and the player’s equipment (e.g boots) can be reimbursed to a player without jeopardizing the amateur status of the Player.”
The judgement reads further, “Eneless Phiri is an amateur player and the guidelines Police Doves sought to rely on are not applicable to her. The PCS is alive to the fact that women football in Zambia is just transitioning from amateur to professional. This has adverse effects on small clubs whose players may fall prey to big clubs with enormous financial muscle. Unfortunately, the law demands that clubs must protect themselves by signing professional contracts with their players.”
“The PSC finds that Nkwazi Queens FC did not abrogate any regulation in its quest to acquire the services of Eneless Phiri. Since she is an amateur player, she is free to join Nkwazi Queens FC,” reads the verdict.
