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Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
A CAPS UNITED FC fan is recovering at Mater Dei Hospital in Bulawayo after sustaining injuries in clashes involving Highlanders and the Green Machine followers at Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday.

The Chronicle Sport has since identified the fan as Tawedzerwa Moyo.

Moyo met his fate after Caps United beat Highlanders 2-1 in the Bob 91 Super Cup.

The ugly face of hooliganism in football spoiled an electrifying elimination match, causing a 12-minute stoppage when fans started throwing missiles from the Soweto end 20 minutes before the game ended.

When play eventually resumed, it was Caps United fans’ turn to throw missiles from the Mpilo end.

After referee Philani Ncube blew the final whistle, both teams’ fans were involved in running battles outside the stadium and that is when Moyo was assaulted.

Bulawayo police spokesman, Inspector Mandlenkosi Moyo yesterday dismissed as unfounded information that was circulating on social media alleging that a fan had died following the violent clashes.

“What’s true is that a football fan is in a stable condition at a local hospital. It’s false that a life or lives were lost during the unfortunate clashes,” insp Moyo said.

He said police arrested a number of fans and warned hooligans that they risked being arrested.

“People must learn to be tolerant regardless of the match result. Police will not hesitate to arrest anyone caught on the wrong side of the law,” said insp Moyo

The violence which erupted at Barbourfields Stadium has since been condemned by clubs, officials, fans and the Zifa.

Highlanders chief executive officer Ndumiso Gumede said hooligans were costing the club significant amounts in fines and as a way of plucking out unruly fans, his club will not hesitate to ban violence perpetrators from attending their matches.

He challenged police to arrest perpetrators of violence and detain them instead of making them pay fines.

“The club pays police huge fees and we expect to see arrests. Police should just do like what’s happening in Europe, face the crowd, identify hooligans and arrest the culprits. If unruly characters are taken into cells for 48 hours, I don’t think they will commit the offence again,” said Gumede.

“As a club we don’t condone violence of any nature and we will not hesitate to ban culprits who engage in violence.

Crowd troubles cost Bosso more than $4,000 in fines last season.

In a statement Zifa spokesperson Xolisani Gwesela expressed concern over the ugly scenes caused by hooligans at Rufaro Stadium, Mandava and Barbourfields.

During last weekend’s challenge match between Dynamos and Caps United at Rufaro, both sets of fans pelted opposition players with missiles and on Saturday a section of FC Platinum supporters threw objects at an injured Sofapaka player.

Gwesela said his organisation will punish all those tainting the image of Zimbabwean football.

“We’re saddened by the growing unwelcome habit at match venues across the country which is tainting the image of Zimbabwean football at the same time risking the lives of peace loving football supporters. It’s disturbing that the 12th player is still grappling with the basic tenets of fair play. It’s high time these unruly elements get their deserved punishment since they’ve been taking football for granted for a long time with only their clubs feeling the pinch of paying fines,” said Gwesela.

He encouraged clubs to embark on fan education campaigns to enlighten them on the dangers as well as financial implication of hooliganism.