Zimpapers Logo

Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
THE Castle Lager Premier Soccer League disciplinary committee has slapped Caps United with a fine of $3,500 for their fans’ rowdy behaviour during their 0-3 Easycall Cup semi-final defeat to Chicken Inn at the beginning of the month.

Caps United supporters could not stomach defeat against the league champions during a match played at Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo as they invaded the pitch and threw missiles.

The Green Machine were convicted on their own plea of guilty to the charge, which reads in part . . . “Invasion or attempted invasion of the field of play, save for reasons of crowd safety or throwing or attempting to throw missiles, bottled and other objects whether potentially harmful or dangerous or not, onto the pitch, or at any person”.

The Green Machine supporters threw missiles onto the pitch, protesting the referee’s decision to caution Mansogo Fuga Antonio for simulation in the 80th minute, forcing an 11-minute stoppage.

Play resumed and with 19 seconds left to full time, Leonard Tsipa was fouled and Caps United were awarded a free kick. Before the free kick was taken a Caps United supporter ran straight onto the field of play jumping at Chicken Inn defender Devine Lunga.

More Caps United supporters invaded the pitch and assaulted Chicken Inn players, forcing the referee to abandon the match.

Caps United are expected to pay $3,000 by January 31 after $500 was suspended for the whole of 2016 on condition that the club is not convicted of a similar offence.