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A HIGHLANDERS FC fan who celebrated his team’s second Premiership goal against Whawha FC at Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday by invading the pitch has cost the financially incapacitated Bulawayo giants $2,000, according to chief executive officer Ndumiso Gumede.A well crafted Knox Mutizwa’s second goal in the 2-0 victory against the prison wardens sparked wild celebrations at eMagumeni resulting in one overzealous fan scaling the fence to hug his Bosso heroes.
The unidentified fan was quickly arrested and whisked away by the anti-riot police officers.
Gumede warned Highlanders fans against invading the pitch and showered praises on the alert police officers saying the club doesn’t condone such behaviour.
He said supporters should know that the Premier Soccer League (PSL) slaps clubs with heavy fines for pitch invasions.
“Highlanders doesn’t condone pitch invasions because not only is it unsporting, but it poses a threat to players’ safety. It’s not a secret that Highlanders needs every cent and we intend to keep every precious dollar but it becomes difficult to save if fans invade the pitch and the PSL hits us with fines,” said Gumede.
“As it is, this fan will only pay a $5 fine and we pay $2,000 as a club. However, we salute the police for a job well done and we hope in future these hooligans are punished accordingly because they’re bleeding the club which they claim to love.”
Highlanders once proposed that hooligans be identified and banned from the stadium in a bid to control crowd trouble.
Bongani Moyo
Online Reporter