HIGHLANDERS and Dynamos face the full wrath of the Premier Soccer League (PSL) following skirmishes between their fans which led to the abandonment of their league game at Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday.
Highlanders fans threw missiles, invaded the pitch and fought running battles with the police, while the Dynamos supporters at the Mpilo End, also invaded the pitch in contravention of the PSL rules and regulations.
The country’s biggest and largely-followed clubs are set to be summoned for a disciplinary hearing.
Precedents have been set in the past as the two clubs were last year hauled before a disciplinary hearing following crowd trouble at BF and were found guilty of breaching Order 31 of the league’s rules and regulations which outlaws fans' unruly behaviour such as pitch invasion (save for reasons of crowd safety), causing match abandonment and throwing missiles onto the pitch, among other acts of misdemeanours by players or match officials.
Highlanders and Dynamos were fined US$5 000 and US$7 500 respectively.
In a statement yesterday, PSL chairman Farai Jere condemned Sunday’s hooliganism saying action will follow soon after they go through the match reports.
“The Premier Soccer League condemns in the strongest possible terms the appalling incidents of crowd trouble that took place at a match between Dynamos and Highlanders at Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday (September 10, 2023). As we are currently awaiting official reports from the match commissioner (Nelson Kusosa) and referee (Allan Basvi) before commencing disciplinary procedures, we would like to reiterate that violence and hooliganism have no place in our football and we expect those who breach our rules and regulations to be brought to book. The PSL is an apolitical sporting organisation whose objectives are to develop football and foster unity among the communities. We deplore elements who want to use football gatherings to pursue selfish and divisive interests,” Jere said.
He advised clubs to educate their fans on the PSL regulations and apologised to the Sports and Recreation Commission for the Sunday incidents.
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Highlanders have also apologised to all stakeholders for the skirmishes.
“Highlanders Football Club is deeply saddened by the crowd trouble that led to the abandonment of our league match against Dynamos FC at Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday. The club condemns the unsporting behaviour that negatively profiles Zimbabwean football as a brand. It is sad to witness such ugly scenes at a family sports event, especially at a time when the club, together with other stakeholders are working tirelessly to bring fans back into the stadiums and convincing the corporate world that sport in general and football in particular is worth their support. We would like to apologise to all our stakeholders, particularly our sponsors, partners and innocent football-loving fans who were affected by the acts of a few selfish individuals who care less about the growth of their clubs and football in general. We also pray for those who were injured and wish them a speedy recovery. The club also takes this opportunity to implore stakeholders to put their heads together and find a lasting solution to this vice that continuously brings the name of the game into disrepute,” the club said in a statement.
Dynamos were leading 2-0 when the match was abandoned in the 37th minute. They are likely to get all three points which would condemn Bosso to their third defeat on the trot.
They have lost top spot to Ngezi Platinum Stars who beat Manica Diamonds on Saturday.
