FIFA president Gianni Infantino yesterday sent a congratulatory message to newly-crowned Castle Lager Premier Soccer League champions, Scottland FC, following their historic triumph in their maiden season.
Infantino’s felicitations, dispatched from Zurich, were conveyed through a letter addressed to the Zimbabwe Football Association (Zifa) president Nqobile Magwizi.
The message acknowledged the instant success of the two-year-old club, which has captivated the nation’s football landscape.
Scottland FC, bankrolled by legislator and business mogul Pedzai “Scott” Sakupwanya, has already wrapped up the league title with a game to spare.
Their star-studded line-up and extravagance have drawn massive crowds and generated unprecedented excitement throughout the season.
The champions still have one match to play against TelOne on Saturday at Ascot Stadium, where the official coronation ceremony will take place immediately after the final whistle.
Given their resources and spectacular start, the club is highly anticipated to perform admirably in next year’s CAF Champions League.
In his congratulatory note, the Fifa president reserved special praise for the team’s consistency and hard work.
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“By means of this letter, I am pleased to congratulate the new champions of Zimbabwe, Scottland FC!” Infantino’s statement read.
“Their constant efforts and results throughout the season have paid off, resulting in this important title.
“Congratulations to each and every member of the team and of the club for this great achievement.”
Last week, American hip-hop artiste Rick Ross, a known friend of Sakupwanya, also congratulated Scottland via a video.
However, the Fifa president’s message arrives at a time of significant confusion and conflicting statements within local football, specifically regarding the promotion and relegation framework for the current season.
The Premier Soccer League (PSL) and Zifa have issued contradicting statements on the fate of the teams fighting for survival as the season concludes this week.
Following an extraordinary general meeting, PSL resolved to suspend relegation for the 2025 season.
This decision, they state, is part of a plan to expand the league to 22 teams for a transitional 2026 season, before reverting to 20 teams in 2027 as earlier suggested by Zifa.
Zifa unequivocally dismissed PSL’s proposal stating that the suspension of relegation cannot be implemented.
They insisted that four clubs will be relegated at the conclusion of the season to maintain the integrity and sporting merit of the league system.
Some big clubs such as Dynamos, Highlanders, Chicken Inn and Manica Diamonds find themselves in danger of relegation.
While Scottland FC celebrate a golden age, the battle at the bottom of the table remains shrouded in uncertainty as the two football bodies maintain opposing stances on the critical issue of relegation.
Zifa has maintained that any resolution for adjustment should be formally submitted and tabled for consideration at the next Zifa congress.
Matchday 34 fixtures
Saturday: TelOne v Scottland (Ascot), MWOS v Ngezi Platinum Stars (Ngoni), Herentals v ZPC Kariba (Rufaro)
Sunday: Green Fuel v Triangle (Green Fuel Arena), Chicken Inn v Highlanders (Barbourfields), Manica Diamonds v Bikita Minerals (Sakubva), Simba Bhora v Yadah (Wadzanayi), Kwekwe United v Caps United (Ascot), Dynamos v FC Platinum (Rufaro)
