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Raymond Jaravaza, Sports Correspondent
ZIFA Bulawayo Province has ordered a replay of a Division Two league match between Mainline FC and Arenel Movers that was abandoned with a few minutes remaining due to bad light at Dingumuzi Stadium in Plumtree in June.

The match was called off with Mainline leading 3-0.

Presenting their arguments before a disciplinary committee chaired by Bulawayo lawyer Prince Butshe Dube, Mainline claimed the match was abandoned after Arenel Movers’ officials stormed the pitch.

But Arenel Movers countered the accusations by insisting their officials went onto the pitch to attend to their injured goalkeeper.

The goalkeeper is said to have indicated that he could not see clearly because it was getting dark, resulting in the match being abandoned with three minutes of regulation time remaining.

Part of the verdict, a copy of which is possession of Chronicle Sport reads:

“There is no way of knowing exactly what happened because a number of theories were presented by both teams. We take the point that the two teams and referees all agreed to start late, thereby accepting the risks attendant to a late start.

“Visibility is subjective. If the goalkeeper complained that he could no longer see, who could then say that he could in fact see? Our view is that both teams are to blame for agreeing to a late start and so they should live with the consequences of their decision.”

The match will be replayed at a neutral venue and expenses are to be shared equally by both teams.

Both teams were also ordered to share costs of the hearing.

The match started late after match officials drove to Figtree Stadium instead of Dingumuzi Stadium only to find that both teams were nowhere to be seen.

The referees then proceeded to Plumtree and arrived at the match venue after 4pm.

@RaymondJaravaza