A former Orlando Pirates star has landed a new role overseas and has vowed to take the issues bedevilling the game in his native country to a global audience.
Zimbabwe international Marshall Munetsi said this after his appointment to the FIFPRO Global Player Council (GPC).
Munetsi, Kenya’s Enez Mango of Farul Constanta and Nigerian Rasheedat Ajibade, who turns out for Atletico Madrid, were drafted into the Council.
MUNETSI LANDS NEW ROLE
FIFPRO launched a new player council in September 2022, aiming to strengthen footballers’ role in shaping decisions around key matters at the international level.
Some of the issues include the match calendar, employment standards and social media abuse.
The GPC represents the current crop of footballers –men and women – and assists FIFPRO in working with its 66 affiliated national player associations.
The three African footballers join former Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini and Argentina’s Nicolas Tagliafico, who are also part of the 34-member Council.
The France-based star has not played for his country since the AFCON finals last year in Cameroon. Zimbabwe is currently banned by FIFA from taking part in international activities. FIFA slapped Zimbabwe with an indefinite ban citing interference by the government.
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This came after the government-run Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) disbanded the Zimbabwe Football Association in 2021.
The SRC cited charges, including misappropriation of funds and the sexual harassment of female match officials, when explaining the decision to disband ZIFA. However, there were no arrests in relation to the charges.
HELP FOOTBALLERS WORLDWIDE
“Being a part of the Global Player Council means we can help footballers worldwide — such as protecting players against fake agents or government interference. I’m eager to get started,” Munetsi said.
The 27-year-old midfield grafter has publicly spoken about the ban and how it affects footballers in his native country.
ZIFA will host an annual general meeting in the next few months, although FIFA will likely distance itself from any outcomes from that AGM.
Munetsi has been in sensational form in France, attracting interest from the English Premier League. On Wednesday, he was on target when his Ligue 1 outfit, Reims, beat Ajaccio 1-0. It was his third goal of the season, making him his club’s third top scorer.