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Eddie Chikamhi, Senior Sport Reporter
GIANTS Highlanders are set to suffer a double blow for the chaos surrounding their abandoned Chibuku Super Cup quarter-final clash with Simba Bhora at Wadzanayi last weekend.
Both Bosso and Simba Bhora were slapped with US$6 000 fines each yesterday for the mayhem witnessed in the terraces after supporters turned the Shamva venue into a mini war-zone.
Violence marred the match proceedings as fans hurled missiles at each other, leading to a brief stoppage.
Bosso already have a pending hearing set for Tuesday after they were summoned by the PSL Disciplinary Committee to answer to charges of causing the abandonment of the game late on.
The Premier Soccer League yesterday descended heavily on the two teams after announcing the fines for the violence perpetrated by their supporters.
“The Premier Soccer League has fined both Simba Bhora FC and Highlanders FC a sum of $6 000 each, following incidents of missile throwing and violence that occurred during their Chibuku Super Cup quarter final match played at Wadzanayi Stadium on Sunday, 22 September 2024,” the PSL said in a statement yesterday.
“These sanctions are in accordance with Order 8.9 of the Chibuku Super Cup Rules and Regulations, which states that failure by a club to exercise control over its fans before, during, and after the match, leading to chaos or violence attracts a fine of $6 000.
“Clubs are reminded of their responsibility to ensure the safety and conduct of their fans at all times.”
The drama on the day did not end with the chaos in the terraces as the match failed to produce a winner as it was abandoned after 76 minutes after Highlanders players refused to take their positions on the field of play in protest of a penalty that had been awarded to Simba Bhora.
The penalty call, which television replays showed was erroneous, was vehemently protested by Bosso as it who argued that Simba Bhora striker Tinashe Balakasi was outside the penalty box when he was upended by defender Peter Muduhwa.
Balakasi, however, fooled the match officials by rolling into the box after the contact to earn his team the contested penalty.
But the encounter came to a premature end Bosso players walked off in protest.
The penalty decision has had far-reaching repercussions with referee on the day Cecil Gwezere and his assistant Zondzi Ngosana being suspended by the ZIFA Referees’ Committee.
But Bosso are still to get off the hook as they have been summoned by the disciplinary committee to answer questions for causing the abandonment of the game.
“In accordance with the Chibuku Super Cup rules and regulations, Highlanders FC has been summoned to appear before the PSL Ad Hoc Committee on allegations of breaching the Chibuku Super Cup Rules and Regulations, specifically: Order 8.8: Causing the abandonment of a Chibuku Super Cup match.
“The hearing will take place at the PSL offices on Tuesday 1 October 2024 at 1730 hours.”
Meanwhile, Highlanders will today travel to Mandava to face former champions FC Platinum in the Castle Lager Premiership, while Simba Bhora have a date with defending champions Ngezi Platinum Stars at Baobab.
Fixtures
Today: ZPC Kariba v GreenFuel (Nyamhunga), FC Platinum v Highlanders (Mandava), Arenel Movers v Hwange (Luveve), Herentals v Dynamos (Rufaro), Ngezi Platinum Stars v Simba Bhora (Baobab)
Tomorrow: Bikita Minerals v Manica Diamonds (Sakubva), CAPS United v Yadah (Rufaro), Chicken Inn v Bulawayo Chiefs (Luveve), Chegutu Pirates v TelOne (Baobab)
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