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THE Premier Soccer League have condemned the violence which rocked Barbourfields on Sunday and said they will charge Highlanders for the violent behaviour of their fans in the match against Chicken Inn.
After receiving the match reports from the referees, and the match commissioner, the PSL have said the Bulawayo giants have a case to answer in terms of PSL rules and regulations Order 31.1.13 .
Government has already condemned the violence which erupted after referee Nkosikhona Moyo denied Chicken Inn what appeared to be a last-gasp winning goal when he blew to end the match.
Tafadzwa Kutinyu’s strike had just beaten the ‘keeper when the referee blew to end the match.
The Sports Commission yesterday condemned the violence.
Highlanders are likely to be fined $2 000 when they appear before the PSL Disciplinary Committee.
Yesterday, PSL chief executive Kenny Ndebele said hooliganism has no place in football.
“The PSL strongly condemns the violence and hooliganism that took place after the PSL match. Violence and hooliganism have no place in football.
“Football fans should enjoy the game in a peaceful environment.
“We are calling upon the majority of loyal football fans to help law enforcement agents by identifying and reporting the bad elements that bring the game of football into disrepute.
“The PSL would like to appeal to the law enforcement agents to arrest all the perpetrators of violence at football matches.
“Many a time we hear of the arrests of hooligans after football matches, but we have not heard of the prosecution of the same offenders. We further call upon the police to conduct thorough searches of all fans before every match to ensure that no harmful objects are brought into the football stadium,” said Ndebele.
The league chief also appealed to all stakeholders to avoid being carried away by a cyber blitz which may end up fuelling violence.
“We appeal to our fans, the media and other stakeholders to desist from abusing the cyber space through using online file images and deliberately falsifying such image captions.
“Such acts may culminate in unnecessary despondency and tension within the football fraternity. The PSL implores football clubs to continue to educate their fans on the dangers of hooliganism.
“Violence and hooliganism at football matches may fracture working relationship within and among football stakeholders,” said Ndebele.
In a statement, acting Sports Commission director-general Joseph Muchechetere said they will not hesitate to take action against culprits.
“The Sports Recreation Commission wishes to register its displeasure over the violence that continues to happen in football.
“We were dismayed to learn that a linesman was attacked on Sunday in a match involving Chicken Inn and Highlanders.
“This behaviour has no space in sport as it goes against the principles of fair play, respect and tolerance which are values that are highly cherished in sport.
“To this end we wish to warn all the organisers of sport to desist from such crude and abrasive conduct which damage the image of sport and its business partners.
“As the regulators of sport in the country we shall not hesitate to take stern measures.”
Online Reporter