PSL speak on violence, hooliganism

Eddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
BULAWAYO giants Highlanders are set to escape without any heavy sanctions for the violence that marred their Bob 91 elimination match against CAPS United at Barbourfields last week.

This comes as the Premier Soccer League said they would not haul Bosso to any disciplinary hearing as the Bob 91 matches were not under their jurisdiction.

The PSL appear to have more organised disciplinary structures than ZIFA for whom the matches are said to fall under.

ZIFA have only issued what have now become routine warning statements against crowd trouble without even hinting whether any of the parties involved in neither the mayhem at Barbourfields nor the missiles that were thrown in the final at Rufaro on Sunday would be brought to book.

PSL chief executive Kenny Ndebele, while distancing his league from the supervision of the Bob 91 games, however, said they will meet with clubs and other stakeholders to discuss the recurrence of violence at match venues.

Ndebele also implored clubs to take an active approach and engage their supporters to help stamp out the scourge of hooliganism and violence at match venues.

The PSL chief executive said they are worried by the unruly incidents which have started showing early in the year at some high profile pre-season matches involving the country’s Big Three.

The culprits in the matches are set to walk away scot-free as no disciplinary measures have been put in place. The league cannot sanction the clubs and the individual culprits since the matches were not sanctioned by their office but were given the green-light by higher authorities at Zifa.

Ndebele yesterday said their organisation would want to engage all football stakeholders to ensure that the disturbances will not recur when the new season starts on March 21.

Ndebele said clubs should share the responsibility for the disturbances caused by their followers.

“One of the critical issues discussed at the AGM was on how to stop hooliganism and violence at the match venues. We want to take a holistic approach to the problem. We are engaging the security agencies, stadium owners sponsors and the media which we believe also play a major role in disseminating correct information on the issues at hand.

“What we have also done as a league is that we have invited tenders for private security to complement the police at the football grounds.

“But, firstly as clubs we have to acknowledge that we have a problem. If we don’t acknowledge and start blaming each other, that will not do us any good.

“Clubs should play a big part in controlling their supporters. They should help co-ordinate their fans to form supporters’ associations, train marshals and stewards who help with crowd control.

“Police are doing their best, but honestly to expect them to deal with thousands of people without the co-operation of the public will be a bit difficult.

“In big leagues we normally don’t see the police running the show. It’s usually the clubs’ stewards and marshals who are at the forefront and the police helping with the arrests,” said Ndebele.

On Sunday, missile throwing fans marred the final of the Bob 91 Super Cup between Dynamos and CAPS United as unruly supporters from both sides caused ugly scenes during the match.

Ironically, the supporters from both teams had a joint pre-match demonstration against violence and unruly behaviour at the match venue but once the game got underway they could not walk their talk.

Last week a CAPS United supporter was hospitalised following disturbances which followed their 2-1 win over Highlanders at Barbourfields. Missiles were thrown in the match each time the supporters disagreed with the referees. The situation was no different the previous week when Dynamos and CAPS United clashed in the final of the Sino-Zimbabwe Cement Cup.

Zifa spokesperson Xolisani Gwesela also condemned the ugly scenes which continue to be witnessed despite calls from various stakeholders in recent weeks to shun violence and hooliganism at football matches. Gwesela said match venues should be safe for everyone.

“Our stance as the mother body has not changed and we do not condone violent tendencies being displayed by hooligans whose intention is to maim the image of football events organisers.

“We deplore this despicable and disgraceful behaviour which has a tendency to scare away sponsors.

“This level of violence is highly unacceptable and it gives the beautiful game a poor reputation.

“Violence has no place in football and we urge these unrepentant criminal to desist from abusing football to vent their frustrations.

“We are working closely with law enforcement agents to bring these criminals to book.

“Our position as ZIFA is explicitly clear, anyone found to have transgressed football statutes by being violent will be banned from attending all football matches and events in addition to prosecution by the courts.

“In that vein we are going to join some stakeholders who have responded to the growing concern of chaos at football matches in conscientising the public about making stadia safe places where families can feel secure to watch sport,” said Gwesela.