adminLovemore Zigara Midlands Sports Correspondent
GWERU City have been awarded full points for their abandoned match against Chrome Stars by the Zifa Central Soccer League on a 3-0 scoreline.
This came after Chrome Stars turned up for their match against “Chiwororo”, as Gweru City are affectionately known, without player licences which forced the match officials to call off the match.
The Kwekwe-based side was further fined $500 for causing the abandonment of the match.
In a letter dated September 11, 2014 and signed by the league’s board member, Stanley Chapeta, the league management said there was documentary evidence to show that Stars failed to produce player licences.
“We refer to the above matter and advise you that the league match was awarded to Gweru City FC on a 3-0 scoreline. The documentary evidence that has been submitted show that Chrome Stars failed to produce player licences for inspection before the commencement of the match on Saturday, September 6, 2014 at Wilson Stadium which resulted in the abandonment of the sanctioned league match.
“Please note that any team which cannot produce player licences that appear on the respective player identification team sheet for any fixture will not have enough eligible players to commence the fixture and will be deemed to have forfeited the fixture except for the case of “force majeure”.
“Therefore, it shall be the club’s responsibility to ensure that all players taking to the field of play have licences and are eligible to play,” read part of the letter.
Stars were given seven days to appeal against the ruling if they felt aggrieved.
The awarding of points to Gweru City has seen them powering to second position on the log with 37 points from 18 games and are now a point behind Whawha.
City buoyed by the ruling today face MSU in a Gweru derby.
Fixtures
Today: Chrome Stars vs Whawha (Mbizo), MSU vs Gweru City (MSU),
Vumbachikwe vs Nkayi United (Pelandaba), Tongogara vs Silo United (Battlefields), ZRP Beitbridge vs Chomumvuri Pirates (Dulibadzimu), Gaths Mine vs Blanket (Gaths Mine)
Tomorrow: Zvishavane Stars vs FC Platinum (Mandava).
Online Reporter