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The position was taken by the international motherbody after it emerged matches manipulated by Asian betting syndicates had irregularities in the call up of players. In some instances like the Zimbabwe situation, they met at the airport without practising and coaches would not even know which players they were taking along.

In the past, national associations never even advised Fifa on games. Investigating teams from Zimbabwe have not been able to draw any information on the games from Fifa. Zifa chief executive officer, Jonathan Mashingaidze confirmed this on Wednesday in an interview. He said Fifa wanted national associations to be transparent in their dealings.

“Now Fifa wants national associations to notify it 30 days before the proposed day of the match. They wanted information about the venue and the time the game would be played. Fifa also wants to know arrangements put in place in terms of logistics, the finances in question, sponsorships and other obligations including television rights issues.

“To safeguard the interests of the game, the national association also advises the continental federation. All information to do with the appointment of referees is also needed and after the match, the referee and match commissioners send their reports to Fifa, Uefa and Caf as well,” said the Zifa chief executive officer.

Asked what lessons had been learnt about match-fixing from countries Zimbabwe played against from 2007 to date especially those whose matches were alleged to have been fixed, Mashingaidze said they had drawn a blank. “We made attempts to establish from the countries we have played against. There was no joy, the case is sophisticated. Obviously these people would rather stay quiet so as to avoid censure.

“For football, the Zimbabwe case could just be the tip of the iceberg. We welcome the tough Fifa framework under which games will be arranged from now onwards,” said Mashingaidze.

In the same interview Mashingaidze disclosed that they would soon launch the Zifa Trust. He said they were in the process of registering the deed of trust with a view of having it operational as from 31 December.

He said this would see organisations like Mzansi90 and the Warriors Trust Fund dissolved. Some of the members of the two committees, he said, would be absorbed in the Zifa Trust.

Among some of its responsibilities would be to help manage the marketing, financial and development components of the national association.

They will also help with national teams funding.