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Dynamos hooligans at Barbourfields Stadium recently

Sports Reporter
DEFENDING champions Dynamos FC on Tuesday appeared before the Premier Soccer League’s disciplinary committee for their fans’ violent behaviour in the 1-1 draw against Tsholotsho at Barbourfields Stadium on August 23. DeMbare fans threw various objects onto the pitch from their Mpilo End bay before damaging the perimeter fence, invading the pitch and uprooting the goal post after the final whistle.

PSL chief executive officer Kennedy Ndebele yesterday said Tsholotsho were fined $2,000 for failing to control fans leading to the chaos. “Dynamos were charged for damaging property and issues to do with vandalism of property are taken to the disciplinary committee. They appeared before the DC on Tuesday and we’re waiting for the verdict. Tsholotsho FC were fined for failing to provide adequate security. The police stated in their report that Tsholotsho FC requested for inadequate security,” said Ndebele.

“Straight issues like pitch invasions and throwing missiles attract fines which the PSL board of governors agreed on. We’re simply implementing what clubs agreed on and we’ll not be intimidated in executing our duties.” Satellite television station SuperSport threatened a Barbourfields Stadium live broadcast blackout due to the incident citing safety concerns after one of their cameramen had to flee the marauding hooligans while dismantling his equipment.

Ndebele said Harare City will soon be summoned to appear before the PSL disciplinary committee following Triangle United’s complaint that their head coach Kelvin Kaindu was assaulted before their league match at Rufaro Stadium. Highlanders are unhappy that FC Platinum, one of the only two clubs to escape the wrath of the league with How Mine, were left out of the fines’ book despite their supporters viciously attacking Highlanders’ fans after their drawn game at Mandava Stadium.

One of the Bosso supporters is still in hospital with a suspected spinal injury. Ndebele said; “We further confirm that the complaints by the Highlanders FC chief executive officer about their supporter who was allegedly assaulted by FC Platinum supporters was only received yesterday, 01 0ctober 2015, in terms of the PSL Rules and Regulations Clause 30.(1) which states that:

‘Any club involved in a match may lodge a protest with the league in respect of any match played under the auspices of the league provided that the protesting club participated in the same game.’ “The league is concerned with continued acts of misconduct by clubs and will not be intimidated to instill discipline. We trust that officials will come up with proper communication structures and fair education strategies.”

In sanctions totalling $34,775 issued to clubs for an assortment of misdemeanours, Caps United tops the list with $8,750 in fines ranging from pitch invasions to failure to fulfil a match. They are followed by Dynamos, who were fined a total of $8,375, mostly for missile throwing by their unruly fans.

It’s a figure that on its own raises eyebrows after the club’s leadership were recently quoted in the media contemplating a change of venue from Rufaro Stadium to the National Sports Stadium due to constant missile throwing by their supporters. Financially crippled Highlanders will have to fork out $8,000 for pitch invasions and missile throwing by their fans.

Chicken Inn, Triangle United, Harare City and Flame Lily have one fine each. Chicken Inn were fined $450 after all their players used a kit without the sponsor’s logo in their 0-2 loss to Harare City. Triangle were charged $125 after accumulating five yellow cards in a single match against Caps United.

Harare City were fined a similar amount for the expulsion of assistant coach Mkhuphali Masuku against Triangle United. Flame Lily were hit with a $250 fine for failing to submit requested information by set deadline (monthly awards ballot).