Relegated Harare City faces $3000.00 fine from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for withdrawing from the Confederation Cup after having initially indicated to the continental football body their willingness to participate in the tournament.

The Sunshine Boys had won the right to represent Zimbabwe in the Confed Cup after winning the Chibuku Super Cup but their fortunes took a new turn when they were demoted from the Premiership and that relegation changed their circumstances.

Harare City were joining Premier Soccer League Champions, FC Platinum in representing the country in the continental competitions. The two sides beat the CAF deadline of November 30 by confirming through the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) that they would be playing in the continental tournaments.

The Sunshine boys will, however, escape further sanctions, which includes a two-year ban from Caf competitions as they pulled out before the tournament draw was conducted.

Although Harare City decided against taking part in the Confederation Cup, Zifa said they were yet to receive the withdrawal letter from the club and would stand guided by Caf on the way forward.

The Caf Regulations are very clear regarding withdrawal and renunciation from playing.

Chapter XI, Article 4 of the regulations, spells the course of action on such matters and states that:

“(4) A withdrawal reported after the engagement and before the establishment of the fixtures leads to the loss of the engaged club with an imposed fine of US$3 000.

“(10) Apart from the financial sanctions mentioned above, every club withdrawing from the competition after the establishment of the fixtures will be forbidden from participating in all Caf inter-clubs competitions for the next two editions following its withdrawal.”

The Caf deadline for teams to participate in the African Safari lapsed last Thursday.

Zifa communications and competitions manager Xolisani Gwesela said the association had registered Harare City with Caf after the club had confirmed their participation.

It was a similar tale with FC Platinum’s registration.

“Harare City confirmed that they will participate in the Confederation Cup in writing and we have a letter to that effect. We are yet to receive their letter of withdrawal. But once we receive it, we will forward it to Caf and wait for the guideline.

“Only Caf will decide the way forward,” said Gwesela.

With the club resolving to play Division One football and instead mount a strong challenge to fight their way back into the Premiership, it was always going to be a difficult scenario for Harare City to retain seasoned players only for just the Confederation Cup.