Sport and Recreation minister Makhosini Hlongwane has expressed concern at the violence which characterised the Caps United-Chicken Inn Easycall Cup semifinal clash on Saturday.
By Sports Reporter
The match was abandoned after Caps United fans threw missiles onto the pitch as they protested against the referee’s decision, which did not go the way of their team.
Hlongwane has called on responsible authorities to investigate the matter and make sure the culprits are held accountable for their actions.
In a statement yesterday, the minister urged the Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC), Zifa and the Premier Soccer League to meet and find ways of stamping out violence.
“The violent scenes that led to the abandonment of the Caps United versus Chicken Inn match, at Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo on December 5, 2015, in a NetOne Easycall Cup semifinal game, are a stark reminder to all football stakeholders that violence continues to blight the beautiful game,” read part of the statement.
“The minister condemns all forms of violence in sport and would like to encourage fans, players and all involved to resolve all differences amicably and in accordance with the rules of football. The game of football and sport in general should engender the values of discipline, tolerance, competition and appreciation of difference and these values must be strictly adhered to by all sporting codes.”
Some fans invaded the pitch and assaulted some Chicken Inn players and Hlongwane wants those to be brought to book.
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“The minister is, therefore, calling on the football authorities to get to the bottom of the violence that rocked the NetOne Easycall Cup semifinal game and bring the culprits to book.
The minister is also calling on the Sport and Recreation Commission and the football authorities, Zimbabwe Football Association (Zifa) and Premier Soccer League (PSL) to sit down and introduce a framework that enables clean sport and prevents violence in all football matches at all levels.”
