SPONSORS of the Easycall Cup, NetOne, have expressed concern at the violence that rocked their tournament last weekend, saying this was causing a lot of damage to their corporate image.
BY HENRY MHARA
The semifinal match between Chicken Inn and Caps United at Barbourfields Stadium on Saturday was abandoned with a few seconds remaining due to crowd trouble.
Chicken Inn were leading 3-0 when the match was called off, and the Premier Soccer League (PSL) yesterday confirmed that the match had been awarded to the Bulawayo side on a 3-0 scoreline, following an ad hoc committee meeting on Wednesday.
There were also isolated incidences of violence, including a pitch invasion, by fans after the final whistle of the other semifinal match involving Highlanders and Dynamos at the same venue on Sunday. Highlanders won the match 2-1.
And ahead of the final match between Highlanders and Chicken Inn at Barbourfields on Sunday, the mobile network operator has voiced concern at the violent incidences and urged fans to refrain from any forms of hooliganism.
“Zimbabweans love their football; they love their peace and enjoy their favourite network. We, thus, find it disturbing that some fans are not gracious in defeat and opt to take the law into their own hands by throwing missiles onto the field of play, endangering lives of innocent spectators, players and officials,” NetOne chief executive officer, Reward Kangai told a Press conference in Harare yesterday.
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“Scenes witnessed at Barbourfields stadium in the semifinal between Chicken Inn and Caps United cannot be condoned and should never be repeated. As sponsors, we find it totally unacceptable that we enter a partnership where our good image ends up being tarnished at the end of the day.”
The concerns raised by the sponsors might have also left the PSL nervous, considering how tough it has become to secure sponsorship.
“As we engage the PSL to get to the bottom of what really transpired, we call upon all soccer loving Zimbabweans to refrain from violent behaviour and enjoy a football fiesta brought to you by your favourite network. It is not the wish of NetOne to be associated with such behaviour and we urge all stakeholders to play their part as we offer our nation a soccer tournament, which should be enjoyed by all. Violence can only make a beautiful game ugly. Let’s keep the beautiful game that way,” Kangai said.
Despite the violence last weekend, Kangai said his company remains committed to sponsoring football.
“We cannot be dissuaded from our vision because of some elements out there. We want to encourage them to stop their wayward behaviour. Let’s not allow these misguided hooligans to spoil the good activities that are being laid out. We are committed to what Zimbabweans love, and that is football,” he said.
The PSL has said security will be tightened to make sure that the weekend events do not recur on Sunday.
The league’s marketing manager, Rodwell Thabe, said some of the measures to try and stamp out violence include body searches, on supporters, for missiles, while oranges are banned.
“The Premier Soccer League is deeply concerned at the acts of hooliganism. However, we would like to assure all football stakeholders and football fans that we are ensuring that the final of the Easycall Cup on Sunday will not witness such acts of hooliganism.
“Security will be beefed up; adequate security preparations are being done. There has been consultations with the ZRP and private security on measures to eradicate this thorny issue that is creeping into football. We should avoid violence and pitch invasion. All clubs that are found on the wrong side will be handed the necessary conviction,” Thabe said.
He said Caps United will face sanctions after their supporters caused the abandonment of their match against Chicken Inn.
