adminSenior Sports Editor
THE Police will up their fight against hooliganism and violence at football matches. This was confirmed by Bulawayo Province spokesperson Mandlenkosi Moyo in an interview yesterday afternoon. He assured city residents that they had come up with a number of strategies that they’re confident would see stadia returning to being safe for all.
Many have proposed the use of cameras to identify hooligans.
“Obviously we’re open to ideas on how to solve this problem. There has been a suggestion that we use cameras, we will look into it. There are other ideas we are thinking of on how to eradicate hooliganism and violence,” said Moyo.
He could not divulge some of the ideas that they had fearing that they could be arming the hooliganism.
“Usually strategies to do with security are not disclosed to the public but we will consult widely to ensure we do the right thing,” he said.
On alcohol that is finding its way to stadia, the police spokesperson said it appeared the beer is smuggled into the stadium before police arrive.
“I’d like to think bottles and cans of beer we see being thrown find their way into the stadium before police take their positions between 10-11AM. This problem is a multi-sectoral issue where the community has to come forward to assist in identifying these culprits,” said Moyo.
Clubs are losing a fortune through fines for crowd disturbances and pitch invasion.
Efforts to educate fans have not helped much as most of the hooligans are not even card-carrying members of the clubs.
Threats of playing in empty stadia and deduction of points including expulsion from tournaments could see fans effecting citizen’s arrests on hooligan as was the case during a recent FC Platinum match against Sofapaka of Kenya in a Caf Confederation Cup game.
Meanwhile, Cecilia Malunga, a Zifa honorary member said yesterday that violence has to be nipped in the bud as it does not only threaten sport but the lives of both participants and fans.
Malunga said because of violence she was finding it difficult to attend big matches.
“I like the game. My children and grandchildren like football too but they’re all scared to attend matches because of violence.
“This isn’t good at all and something has to be done,” she said.
Malunga however said it was a few individuals who engaged in violence and could easily be identified and dealt with.
She said violence had no room in the game. She said she had been a victim of it in many ways as she has been affected by teargas as police battled to control violent crowds.
Malunga is a cousin to Highlanders big defender Douglas Sibanda who was recently injured at Barbourfields Stadium.
“He has been nursing an injury sustained from a missile thrown at him during the Highlanders/Caps United match two weeks ago. That’s not what we want as football lovers nor as parents. We want our children to go wherever they want for entertainment,” she said.
Mlaunga said sport should bring people together.
Online Reporter