Police officers have arrested a dozen suspected hooligans following an orgy of violence that took place during the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) clash between Highlanders and Dynamos football clubs at Barbourfields Stadium, on Sunday.
The much-anticipated duel between Bosso and arch-rivals DeMbare was stopped at 37 minutes when the former’s fans, threw missiles, invaded the pitch and engaged in running battles with the police over biased decisions by the referee Allan Basvi.
In a statement on Tuesday, police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said:
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms that 12 suspects have been arrested in connection with the public violence which occurred at Barbourfields Stadium on 10th September 2023.”
Although investigations are still on-going, police confirmed that six individuals were apprehended for public violence while four are in custody for criminal nuisance and two have been arrested in connection with contravening the Firearms Act.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police assures the public that full scale investigations are in progress to account for all suspects who were involved in the violence,” said Nyathi.
Meanwhile, the PSL’s disciplinary committee has said it is waiting for official reports from the match officials before it commences disciplinary procedures.
“We would like to reiterate that violence and hooliganism have no place in our football and we expect those that breach our rules and regulations to be brought to book,” PSL chairperson Farai Jere said.
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In 2022, both teams were fined over similar misconduct by fans which led to the match being called off in injury time at the same venue.
