Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo
Zimpapers Sports Hub
The PSL Disciplinary Committee have ordered Hardrock and Dynamos to complete their abandoned Matchday 14 fixture from the 76th minute, behind closed doors at a neutral venue in a unique arrangement by the top-flight body.
The Chahwanda Stadium encounter on May 24 was called off with the scores level at 1-1 after pitch invasions by supporters from both sides.
Several DeMbare fans were hospitalised in the aftermath of the mayhem.
Hwange referee Mhaka Magare then abandoned the game with 14 minutes remaining, after Dynamos led through a Misheck Ngwenya own goal and Hardrock equalised via a controversially awarded Wilfred Madzungu penalty. Both clubs were found guilty of causing abandonment, pitch invasion, violence and disrupting the match.
Magare made his decision in consultation with match commissioner Ruzive Ruzive almost an hour into the match.
And now the PSL DC have instructed the game be continued with the two teams sharing marshals.
Hardrock, for their failure to provide sufficient security at the match venue, will play their home game against Triangle behind closed doors.
Ordinarily, they should have played their next home fixture against CAPS United on Sunday without supporters in attendance, but the fact that the tickets for the match were already on sale has prompted the PSL to carry the punishment over to the Triangle match.
“The Premier Soccer League (PSL) Disciplinary Committee has delivered its judgment in the matter involving Hardrock FC, Dynamos FC, and Hardrock FC Chief Executive Officer, Kudzanai Hove following incidents of crowd trouble during the abandoned Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match between Hardrock FC and Dynamos FC played on 24 May 2026 at Chahwanda Stadium.
“Both Hardrock FC and Dynamos FC were found guilty of causing the abandonment of the match, pitch invasion, acts of violence, improper conduct, and disrupting the normal proceedings of the match. In addition, Dynamos FC was found guilty of malicious damage to the perimeter fence at Chahwanda Stadium while Hardrock FC failed to provide adequate security as the home team,” read the statement.
“Accordingly, Hardrock FC has been fined US$10,000 of which US$2,000 is suspended for the remainder of the sea-son on condition that the club is not convicted of a similar offence.
Hardrock FC has also been ordered to play one home match behind closed doors. The club is also required to submit a revised Match Security Management Plan to the PSL CEO within 30 days.
“Dynamos FC has been fined USD10,000. The club has also been directed to submit a formal crowd management and stewarding plan to the PS CEO within 30 days. Furthermore, Dynamos FC must submit a written report after each away fixture for the remainder of the season confirming the measures taken to manage its travelling supporters.
“The Disciplinary Committee further ordered that the remaining minutes of the abandoned Matchday 14 fixture between Hardrock FC and Dynamos FC be played behind closed doors at a neutral venue under the protocols of the PSL.
“Hardrock FC Chief Executive Officer, Kudzanai Hove was found guilty of disorderly conduct, pitch invasion, and violent behaviour. He has been suspended from all football-related activities for the remainder of the 2026 season and ordered to pay a fine of US$5,000.”
PSL Chief Executive Officer Rodwell Thabe said the clubs will have to field the same teams from the abandoned fixture with the players who are no longer part of either club to be replaced by way of substitutions.
“Yes, we fully understand the unique circumstances involved here,” said Thabe.
“We understand that some players have moved since it’s already the mid-season window. But we are saying there are no new players allowed to take part in the game.
“Only the players who were there and have moved or cannot play due to injuries or something else can be replaced by way of official substitutions.”
That means if there was a team that had exhausted their substitute’s quota, they will play with some men short in the event that there are players who have moved on to other clubs.
The match will most likely be held at either Baobab Stadium or Ngoni on a date to be determined.
