Online Reporter
Veronica Gwaze
CONTROVERSY continues to surround the 14-minute Castle Lager Premier Soccer League fixture between Hardrock FC and Dynamos scheduled for this afternoon at Baobab Stadium.
Kick-off is set for 1pm.
The latest twist comes after the ZIFA Appeals Committee dismissed Hardrock FC’s application for a stay of execution in a matter arising from the clubs’ abandoned league fixture at Chahwanda Stadium on May 24, following crowd disturbances.
As a result, the Appeals Committee upheld the earlier ruling directing that the remaining 14 minutes of the match be completed behind closed doors at a neutral venue.
Both clubs were also fined US$10 000 for breaching the league’s rules and regulations.
In terms of the ruling, Hardrock will additionally play one home match behind closed doors.
However, Hardrock subsequently lodged an appeal with the ZIFA Appeals Committee, with the Premier Soccer League (PSL) receiving a copy of the appeal last week and responding with its own submissions on the way forward.
Yesterday, Hardrock received the committee’s response dismissing its application for a stay of execution.
In dismissing the application, the ZIFA Appeals Committee indicated that Hardrock’s prospects of success appeared limited and that the club would not suffer irreparable prejudice if the PSL Disciplinary Committee’s ruling was implemented pending the outcome of the appeal.
A stay of execution is a legal remedy that temporarily suspends the enforcement of a judgment or order while an appeal is being considered.
In civil and criminal matters, it effectively acts as a pause button, preventing the execution of penalties or orders until higher legal processes are exhausted.
In this case, Hardrock was seeking not only to challenge the sanctions imposed but also to halt today’s completion of the abandoned match.
“The Appellant’s request for a Stay-Of-Execution pending appeal be and is hereby dismissed,” ruled the Appeals Committee.
“The direction contained in the Judgment of the PSL Disciplinary Committee dated 30th June 2026, that the fixture between Hardrock FC and Dynamos FC abandoned on 24th May 2026 be completed from the 76th minute, shall proceed as directed on Thursday 09th July 2026.
“The costs of the present request are reserved for determination together with the costs of the appeal. This Order is confined to the request for stay pending appeal and is without prejudice to, and shall not be read as expressing any view upon, the merits of the appeal, which remains to be determined’’.
The Appeals Committee further noted that:
“The relief sought in Part VI of the Notice of Appeal is extensive, encompassing findings on the binding effect of FIFA
Disciplinary Committee jurisprudence, the setting aside of two convictions, an alternative variation of sanction, an order for compensation against the Second Respondent, an order reversing the declined award of the abandoned fixture on a 3-0 score line, and costs.
“The present Order is concerned only with the ancillary and urgent question of whether execution of the Judgment – specifically, the direction that the abandoned fixture be completed on Thursday 09th July 2026 – should be stayed pending determination of that relief.
“It does not touch upon, and should not be read as prejudging, any of the substantive relief sought. The Committee records, for completeness, that in sporting disputes, the noting of the appeal does not automatically suspend the operation of the Judgment.”
To that extent, the committee said a party seeking to avoid execution of a ruling pending appeal must formally apply for a stay and satisfy the legal requirements for such relief, which Hardrock had sought to do through its written application.
“It is well established, including in the jurisprudence of the CAS that a request for a stay of execution pending appeal will only be granted where the applicant demonstrates, cumulatively: that the stay is necessary to protect the applicant from irreparable harm.
“The applicant must demonstrate that the requested stay is necessary in order to protect its position from damage or risks that would be impossible, or very difficult, to remedy or cancel at a later stage; that the applicant has reasonable chances of success on the merits.”
The committee noted that the applicant must show that its case is not manifestly without merit and that there are reasonable prospects of ultimately succeeding on appeal.
It further stated that the applicant must satisfy the balance of interests test by demonstrating that the prejudice it would suffer if the stay were refused outweighs any prejudice that would be suffered by the opposing parties should the stay be granted.
Under the balance of interests principle, the applicant must establish that the inconvenience arising from the refusal of a stay would be greater than any inconvenience suffered by the other parties if execution of the ruling were suspended.
Interestingly, Dynamos were cited as respondents in the Hardrock appeal but were reportedly not formally served with the application.
The development prompted Dynamos to write to the PSL seeking clarification and recourse.
“We represent Dynamos Football Club, kindly note our professional interest. We first learnt through social media that Hardrock FC had filed an appeal in the above stated matter on Friday the 3rd of July 2026,” reads part of Dynamos’ letter.
“Our Mr D. Mthombeni phoned Mr Sangula, to confirm the rumor.
“Mr Sangula confirmed that he was filing the appeal that same afternoon and promised to serve us with a copy of the said appeal soon after filing.”
However, Dynamos claim the promised copy was never served.
PSL chief executive officer Rodwell Thabe said the fixture would proceed as scheduled.
“Filing an appeal does not translate to cancellation of judgement, nor do they warrant Stay-Of-Execution therefore the match will go ahead as scheduled,” he said.
