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Shabanie Mine fined $8000

Sport
SHABANIE MINE have been fined $8 000 by the Premier Soccer League Disciplinary Committee for causing the abandonment of their match against Harare City

SHABANIE MINE have been fined $8 000 by the Premier Soccer League (PSL) Disciplinary Committee for causing the abandonment of their match against Harare City at Maglas Stadium on May 12.

REPORT BY MICHAEL MADYIRA

Referee Sambulo Dube called off the match with nine minutes remaining due to crowd trouble instigated by Shabanie Mine fans who were protesting against two disallowed goals in a match they were losing 3-1.

Harare City were eventually awarded the match on a 3-0 scoreline at the hearing that took place last Monday to maintain their second position on the log standings with 24 points, two ahead of champions Dynamos and two behind leaders Highlanders.

The Zvishavane side were found guilty of contravening Orders 31.1.13.3 and 31.1.13.2 of the PSL Rules and regulations that spell for misconduct by causing the abandonment of a match and throwing missiles onto the pitch.

Represented by their interim secretary Pithias Shoko who has, however, been commended for his professionalism at the club, Shabanie pleaded guilty to both the charges.

They were fined $10 000 of which $2 000 was suspended for the rest of the season on condition they are not convicted of the same offence. They were also ordered to foot the hearing costs before June 30.

In arriving at their verdict, the Don Moyo-chaired disciplinary committee noted that the Shabanie supporters’ behaviour posed a danger to players and officials.

“It is clear that the violence led to the abandonment of the match. Such irreprehensible conduct cannot be tolerated. Clubs and their supporters must learn that the referee`s decision is final,” read part of the judgment.

“There are other channels of airing grievances without resorting to violence. This must be nipped in the bud to protect life and limb, and even the sponsors. We are guided by the PSL standing orders in arriving at the appropriate sentence.”

Shoko appealed to Shabanie Mine fans to abstain from violence.

“As a club we respect the verdict arrived at by the disciplinary committee and believe it has sent a message to the fans that we have to desist from violence,” said Shoko.

“Acts of violence come back to haunt us as a club before it siphons our coffers. We are struggling revenue-wise so we do not want to do things that would leave us bankrupt at the end of the day. Fans should just learn to accept the referee’s decisions even when things are not going our way,” he said.

Shabanie are the second club to be fined for violence after Highlanders. The league leaders were charged for the chaos during their 2-0 win over Shabanie and face a similar fine for their April 21 match against Dynamos. Dynamos have also been charged over the same match.