THE on-going squabbles in the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) are a demonstration that there is a lot of confusion and deep divisions in the national soccer body and are not helpful to the development of soccer at all.

And at any rate, it is becoming increasingly clear that the problems facing the association are beyond being resolved by the association itself.

From the time petitions began flying calling for the removal of members of the secretariat including general secretary George Kasengele, the public has been treated to a flurry of accusations, dark corner meetings, finger-pointing and settling of scores.

The final straw resulted in the suspension of Zambia Football Coaches Association (ZAFCA) general secretary and Amakumbi Stars proprietor Simataa Simataa.

The ban, among others, included a ban from watching any game, and if Mr Simataa dared to attend any, the game should be stopped until he was forcibly ejected.

This week, a new twist has been added with a declaration from chairperson of the disciplinary committee Sunday Nkonde that the suspension was null and void because FAZ has no power to do so and a reaction from Anthony Kasolo, a member of the same committee stating the exact opposite.

Kasolo argues that FAZ president Kalusha Bwalya has authority under article 28 to suspend any member in consultation with the executive committee.

He says Mr Nkonde's statement was personal because the disciplinary committee never sat to review the case. This is a very unfortunate development.

At a time when it was thought some guidance would be provided through the correct interpretation of the FAZ Constitution, Messrs Nkonde and Kasolo have only succeeded in adding more confusion.

Especially that both are lawyers in their own right, they are members of the FAZ disciplinary committee and belong to City of Lusaka as chairperson and secretary respectively.

The FAZ issue has degenerated into a political affair and one wonders why even the Sports Council of Zambia (SCZ) has chosen to turn a blind eye.

It is therefore incumbent upon the life members and SCZ to save the situation for the sake of football. They can no longer remain silent on this matter.