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Online Reporter
SUSPENDED PSL refereee Cecil Gwezera is reportedly adamant that he made the right call in awarding a penalty to Simba Bhora in their quarter final clash of the Chibuku Cup against Highlanders, despite television replays showing that the incident took place outside the penalty area.
Highlanders disputed his decision, leading to the abandonment of the match and his suspension together with assistant referee Zonzdzi Ngosana.
“Those at the hearing say he was adamant that he made the right call. He claimed television replays did not show all angles. He said the Zifa suspended them based on the referees committee’s opinion. The assistant referee said he did not make a
call for the penalty, and the penalty was awarded by the person with the whistle and he would go with that,” said a source.
Highlanders were found guilty of causing the abandonment of their Chibuku Super Cup quarter-final clash with Simba Bhora at Wadzanayi Stadium in Shamva on 22 September.
They were hit with a US$6 000 fine and the match awarded to Simba Bhora on a 3-0 scoreline..
Simba Bhora were awarded a penalty in the 79th minute following a Peter Muduhwa and Tinashe Balakasi clearly outside the box.
Referee of the day Gwezera and his assistant Ngosana awarded a penalty. Highlanders protested the call resulting in the abandonment of the match.
A three member disciplinary committee resolved that Highlanders were to blame
for the abandonment which was caused by the dubious penalty decision.
Highlanders were found to have contravened Order 8.8 of the Chibuku Super Cup Rules and Regulations-Causing the abandonment of a Chibuku Super Cup Match.
The club was fined US$6 000 two weeks ago for their part in crowd trouble. Simba Bhora were fined too for filing to control fans.
Highlanders will however pay US$2000 as US$4000 was suspended until the end of the year.
“The accused, Highlanders FC, is hereby sentenced to pay a fine of US$6000.00 (Six Thousand United States dollars). Of this amount $4000 is suspended on condition that the club is not found guilty of any offence that brings the game of football into disrepute for the remainder of
the season. The effective fine of $2000-00 together with the costs of the hearing, shall be paid within two weeks of receipt of this judgment. The abandoned match be and is hereby awarded to Simba Bhora FC on a 3 nil scoreline,” reads the judgement.
The Premier Soccer League disciplinary committee constituted of Doreen Gapare, the chairperson, Raphael Tsivana and Washington Magaya (members).
Highlanders received the judgement on Friday.
Online Reporter