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Ricky Zililo Sports Reporter
THE Castle Lager Premier Soccer League will smile all the way to the bank with its coffers swelling by $274,250 from fines imposed on clubs. Premiership champions Dynamos were the worst affected club, raking in fines of $65,500 which were mostly from pitch invasions and missile throwing by their followers. Missile throwing or pitch invasion attracts a fine of $8 000 per incident.
With Dynamos set to pocket $70,000 for winning the Castle Lager championship and the PSL deducting $65,500 from their rich pickings, the club could be left with just $4,500 in their account.
It seems DeMbare’s supporters’ rowdy behaviour has cost their team a lot ahead of their 2014 Champions League campaign and preparations. Missile throwing and pitch invasion by their fans cost the Harare giants $56,000.
Dynamos’ fans threw missiles onto the Rufaro Stadium pitch on April 21 when they played against Highlanders in a match which ended 1-1.
They were at it again at Luveve Stadium on July 6 where they lost 1-0 to How Mine.
DeMbare supporters continued their missile throwing at the Colliery Stadium where they suffered their biggest defeat of the season, a 2-4 reversal to Hwange on October 2.
Missiles were also thrown in their goalless draw with Monomotapa and in their 1-0 win over Highlanders at Barbourfields Stadium on October 27.
DeMbare fans only invaded the pitch twice against Caps United and in their last game of the season against Black Mambas a fortnight ago.
Just like in the Premiership standings, cash-strapped Bulawayo giants Highlanders follow behind Dynamos on the fines table contributing $26,550 to the PSL coffers.
Highlanders fans’ disorderly behaviour cost the club $24,550 with the difference accumulated from coach Kelvin Kaindu’s dismissal when they beat Triangle 2-1 at Gibbo Stadium on April 6.
Bosso’s contribution to the delay in kick off of their match against Hwange on June 2 attracted a sanction and they were also fined $500 after their players got five yellow cards in their September 4 encounter with Monomotapa.
Another of the country’s most followed clubs Caps United was not spared its supporters’ unruly behaviour. They failed to control their tempers and threw missiles in two of their league games involving Dynamos and Highlanders.
Caps United also failed to account for gate-takings for matches against Motor Action, Buffaloes and Shabanie Mine and were slapped with a $2,000 fine for each game.
The Green Machine, who are also reeling under financial challenges like most clubs, will pay $22,000 in fines for their offences.
Relegated Black Mambas are fourth on the undisciplined list as they were fined $14,000 followed by Hwange on $9,500.
Chicken Inn, Buffaloes and Monomotapa were the least affected as they have $500 fines each after their players picked up five yellow cards in some matches.
A highly placed Premiership source said the PSL would deduct the fines from clubs’ prizemoney.
“What has always been the case is that clubs that would not have paid anything in regards to fines have part of their prizemoney catering for the penalties. The other option is to get a payment plan from the affected club,” said the source.
It is not clear as to what the PSL will use the money generated from fines for.
The Premiership might use the funds to pursue their dream of acquiring a property for the league to be used as offices.
However, the big fines might throw into perspective the reality that the figures are too high and not compatible with the economy under which the league is operating.
There have been calls for upward reviews of the sponsorship and for clubs to package themselves well and sell advertising opportunities at their premises and jerseys.
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