"Algerians Influenced Zim Stadia Ban"

Algerians have been blamed for the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) decision to ban Barbourfields Stadium from hosting international matches.

CAF reached the drastic decision without a follow-up inspection of the Stadium a few days after a visiting Algerian advance party had reportedly complained about the size of Barbourfields Stadium’s dressing rooms. A senior Bulawayo City Council official is quoted as saying:

Those guys claimed Barbourfields Stadium’s dressing rooms were too small for their technical team and presented that and other complaints to Caf, which hastily acted on the Algerians’ report by effecting a ban on the use of Barbourfields Stadium, yet there was never an official follow-up inspection of the stadium.

Last week, a three-man Algerian delegation that included the country’s deputy ambassador to Zimbabwe and the Algerian national football team doctor visited the stadium and other facilities in the city.

Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA), on Wednesday denied that it was involved in the Algerians’ tour of Barbourfields Stadium.

More: Chronicle