THE Premier Soccer League (PSL) has descended heavily on Highlanders and Simba Bhora, fining the two clubs US$6 000 each for their fans’ unruly behaviour in the abandoned Chibuku Super Cup match at Wadzanayi Stadium on Sunday.
Some hooligans from the two teams pelted each other viciously and reports suggest that a number of supporters were injured in the melee.
Play had to be suspended for five minutes midway through the second half as the brick-carrying hooligans fought running battles in the stands before the police intervened to calm the situation.
Just a minute after the resumption of play, and with the scores at 0-0, Simba Bhora were awarded a penalty which the Highlanders players disputed.
Bosso goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda refused to take his position for the penalty to be taken, resulting in the abandonment of the match.
PSL has invoked Order 8.9 of the Chibuku Super Cup Rules and Regulations on Simba Bhora and Highlanders, a section which compels participating clubs to control their supporters on matchdays.
In a statement yesterday, the PSL announced that: “The Premier Soccer League has fined both Simba Bhora FC and Highlanders FC a sum of US$6 000 each following incidents of missile throwing and violence that occurred during their Chibuku Super Cup quarterfinal match played at Wadzanayi Stadium on Sunday September 22, 2024.
“These sanctions are in accordance with Order 8.9 of the Chibuku Super Cup Rules and Regulations which states that failure by a club to exercise control over its fans before, during and after the match, leading to chaos or violence, attracts a fine of US$6 000. Clubs are reminded of their responsibility to ensure the safety and conduct of their fans all the time.”
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Highlanders are facing further sanctions after they were summoned to appear before the PSL Ad Hoc Committee for their players’ behaviour which led to the premature ending of the Sunday match.
The match was called off in the 76th minute after Bosso protested the awarding of a penalty.
The Bulawayo giants argued that Peter Muduhwa’s foul on Tinashe Balakasi happened outside the penalty area.
Television replays suggest that they had a genuine case, while matchday referee Cecil Gwezera and one of his assistants have since been suspended for six weeks over the debacle.
However, Highlanders are likely to be punished for refusing to continue with the game against the Chibuku Super Cup rules and regulations.
They will be charged under Order 8.8, and if found guilty for causing the abandonment of the match, they will be liable to a fine not less than US$6 000 and the match awarded to Simba Bhora on a 3-0 scoreline.
“Further penalties or actions may be imposed by the PSL Disciplinary Committee or an appointed Ad hoc Committee where necessary,” part of the section read further.
The refusal to continue with the game by the Highlanders players irked even their coach Kelvin Kaindu and his Simba Bhora counterpart Tonderai Ndiraya, with both coaches saying the action had put local football and the name of sponsors into disrepute.
The match was broadcast live on television, and was also watched by Warriors coach Michael Nees.
