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Curtworth Masango
Sports Reporter
THE Northern Region Soccer League are not amused by the resurgence of violence at some of their Division One games and have taken measures to nip the hooliganism threatening to mar the logical conclusion of the 2024 season.
A riveting title race involving log leaders MWOS, Scottland, Harare City and Black Rhinos has ensued in the league.
But two successive weeks of violence in which referees Never Dombo and Mathew Dingo were attacked in Shamva and Karoi respectively have put a damper on that tight title race that has captured the imagination.
Yesterday the NRSL leadership reacted by introducing some measures they believe will help stem the acts of violence at their matches. The NRSL, said in a statement released by media and communications officer Yemurai Dyakonda, that they had been shocked by the trouble that had marred the Karoi United against Scottland game at Chikangwe, which came just a week after the noise that rocked Shamva Mine’s home encounter against MWOS.
“The NRSL is shocked and dismayed by the acts of violence that occurred on the 15th of September at Chikangwe Stadium during a league match between Karoi United FC against Scottland FC, as was witnessed by the multitude of fans who attended the match and as well as reported in the Match Officials reports,” the NRSL said.
“It is more worrying when such acts of violence come at the heels of a similar incident, which occurred at Shamva Mine Stadium when the home team Shamva Mine FC played against MWOS FC.
“The board received all relevant documents about the disturbances that marred the match at Shamva Mine Stadium, and the verdict will be released before the end of the week.
“With regards to the match at Chikangwe Stadium, we are awaiting the necessary reports, to take appropriate action.
“We want to categorically reaffirm and warn that no actions which seek to harm the image of the league by design or otherwise will be tolerated, at a time when the league is seized with efforts to reposition the image of the league in the minds of all stakeholders, concerned.
“It is the league’s conviction that all stakeholders must live up to their obligations in the fight against acts of violence and crowd trouble at all our match venues”.
The NRSL also indicated that although stiffer fines had recently worked as a deterrent, they have introduced more measures around the security of fans, players, and match officials.
“In the recent past for all related acts of violence, the league introduced a regime of punitive fines and we have not seen any repeat offenders.
“In addition to the above, the league will immediately therefore introduce the following raft of measures, with the clear aim to help prevent the occurrence of such acts of violence:
“1. Increase the minimum number of police details from the current number of 4 to 10 per match
“2. Increase the minimum number of marshals from the current number of 10 to 30 per match
“3. The league will appoint League Security Officers to superintend at certain designated matches, working in liaison with the security officers from the two respective teams.
“4. The league will move to immediately institute the ban of any stadium where a report of any form of violence has been reported, and or order the matches of the home team where such violence has been reported to be played in any empty stadium.
“The continued high level of competition which characterises our games brings entertainment and value for money to our fans and sponsors alike.
“Therefore, any form of behaviour that harms the sporting integrity of our competitions will not be tolerated. In as much as we vehemently condemn any acts of violence, we equally appeal to our match officials to always uphold the Rule Book which is the essence of the spirit of the game as we pledge our commitment to ensure their safety at all our match venues”.
Scottland on their part said through their manager Tawanda Chidzidzi that they were shocked by the dirty tactics they had witnessed at Chikangwe.
The ambitious Harare side would, however, now have to await the outcome of the boardroom ruling on the game which was abandoned eight minutes from time.
“As a club, we are waiting for the reports from the match officials then we see how the responsible authorities deal with the issue.
“But to be honest chaos broke out after the referee issued a red card for a crude challenge. The team began its protests and one of the players kicked the ball against the referee.
“It incited the Karoi fans who then started pelting stones toward the referee,” Chidzidzi said.
Online Reporter