Online Reporter
Innocent Kurira and Tongai Mashonga
THE Premier Soccer League’s (PSL) tough sanctions against Hardrock and Dynamos over their abandoned Castle Lager Premier Soccer League clash at Chahwanda Stadium have sparked mixed reactions among football supporters, with many questioning whether the punishment was applied fairly.
While some fans applauded the league for taking a firm stance against crowd trouble, others argued that the sanctions did not adequately reflect the role played by each club in the chaos that brought the Matchday 14 encounter to a premature end.
Bulawayo-based Dynamos supporter Blessings Marangwanda believes the punishment placed a heavier burden on Dynamos despite concerns over matchday security at the host venue.
“As a fan, I question how fair the judgment is. If security at Hardrock’s home ground was part of the problem, then the home club should have carried a greater responsibility. Dynamos were fined the full
US$10 000 while Hardrock effectively pays US$8 000 because part of their fine was suspended. Fans simply want consistency from the PSL,” he said.
Takudzwa Ndunduma also felt the league largely got it right but suggested the home side deserved harsher sanctions.
“From the videos it was clear Dynamos supporters were involved in the violence and they deserved punishment. But Hardrock, as the home team, failed to provide adequate security and should have received a stiffer penalty, including more matches behind closed doors. The decision to replay the remaining minutes is fair because both sets of supporters contributed to the abandonment,” he said.
Tasara Mutongoza shared similar sentiments, saying one club should have borne a greater share of the punishment.
“The PSL was harsh in the sense that there was supposed to be one team that pays a heavier fine. I think the judgment on replaying the remaining minutes is fine,” he said.
Hardrock supporters, however, were left feeling aggrieved by a ruling they believe punished the club despite its fans reacting to the actions of visiting supporters.
Hardrock FC supporters’ chairman Tadious Marima insisted his members only entered the field after Dynamos supporters had allegedly damaged infrastructure at Chahwanda Stadium.
“It is a bad decision because Hardrock fans went onto the field to protect their facility. Dynamos fans damaged some of the infrastructure, breaking banners and security barricades while our fans were seated. We never damaged our own property. How can we be expected to pay such a fine?” said Marima.
Regular Hardrock cheerleader Asani Milanzi believes the order to complete the remaining 14 minutes at a neutral venue behind closed doors hands Dynamos an advantage.
“We were dominating that match and now we have to replay it at a venue without supporters. That benefits Dynamos. Playing one full home game behind closed doors is another huge loss because the club depends on gate takings and our supporters give the team energy,” he said.
Another supporter, Alphonse Mugwagwa, questioned why only the remaining 14 minutes would be replayed.
“I would have preferred the match to be replayed from the beginning. Playing just the last 14 minutes is difficult to accept. The empty-stadium punishment also hurts because the club loses revenue. The fine is acceptable, but I don’t think Hardrock started the violence,” he said.
The PSL disciplinary committee fined both clubs US$10 000 after finding them guilty of offences that led to the abandonment of the match following crowd trouble. Hardrock will also play one home match behind closed doors, while Dynamos must submit crowd management reports after every away fixture for the remainder of the season. The remaining 14 minutes of the match will be completed behind closed doors at a neutral venue.
With opinion sharply divided, one thing is clear: while supporters agree that crowd violence has no place in football, many remain unconvinced that the sanctions struck the right balance between accountability and fairness.
