adminSikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
THE Dynamos Bulawayo Supporters Chapter has appealed to all football supporters in the country to open a new chapter this season by declaring zero tolerance to violence and pitch invasion ahead of the 2014 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season kick-off this afternoon.
Clubs were last season slapped with fines totalling $274,250 for various offences with more than $150,000 of the figure being for crowd trouble or pitch invasion by protesting or celebrating fans. The country’s two biggest clubs, Highlanders and Dynamos contributed a combined value of $92,150 with a $26,550 fine imposed on the Bulawayo giants while their Harare rivals were hit for $65,500.
“The anti-violence campaign starts now and we call upon every football loving person to shun this cancer and show the world that we are a mature lot. Let’s respect the sponsors who pour in their millions to this beautiful game,” said the Dynamos Bulawayo Supporters Chapter chairman Panas Madziya.
He added:
“By now everyone I think is well aware that invading the pitch or throwing missiles will never force the referee to change his decision or even overturn the final outcome. It’s important that we respect the officials as well as accept the final result, however having said that we also implore the referees to be as professional as possible so as to avoid causing unnecessary tension among supporters.”
Meanwhile, the Chapter will today do a community relations programme by sprucing up the Mpilo Hospital grounds before undertaking a roadshow to drum up support for their team’s first league match of the season against How Mine at Barbourfields Stadium tomorrow.
Madziya said the clean-up exercise was meant to show people that its not about football only but also helping within the communities that they live in.
“Before rolling past How Mine tomorrow, we want to undertake a community responsibility programme by sprucing up the Mpilo Hospital grounds,” said Madziya.
Online Reporter