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Sports Reporter
BASEMENT side Black Rhinos, still bitter about the manner they lost their last game to Dynamos, have lodged a complaint against referee Allan Bhasvi.
The army side questioned the dubious penalties that sank their hearts in the 1-2 defeat after they had put up a hearty performance that deserved maximum points at Bata Stadium.
Rhinos secretary-general Edward Mutukwa told The Saturday Herald that the army side decided to take the matter up after reviewing videos of some of the crucial decisions made by the referee which had a huge bearing on the outcome of the match.
The army side has since written to PSL. “Black Rhinos FC writes to you lodging its complaints on the way our match against Dynamos FC at Bata Stadium in Gweru was handled on Sunday 02 July 2023.
“Incidents to note are two penalties in favour of Dynamos FC, which were dubious. In the first incident, our player is alleged to have handled inside the penalty box, yet he blocked the ball using high thigh.
“On the second incident, the referee was hesitant, frozen for a while and then blew the whistle, an indication of induced behaviour.
“At one time during the match, our player Allan Gahadzikwa was stamped upon by Dynamos Shadreck Nyahwa, whilst injured and lying on the ground, but the latter went unpunished on a straight red card offence.
“We feel that the referee assisted a losing team to overturn the deficit on us and win the game with two penalties,” wrote Rhinos.
Rhinos were leading for the better part of the game and looked like they were going to break their 11-match winless run.
But Bhasvi gave Dynamos a lifeline 14 minutes to full time when he awarded them the first penalty, adjudging that Rhinos defender Chelsea Nyakope had handled inside the box.
Video replays have shown that the ball hit the player’s thigh with his hands nowhere near the action.
With the match seemingly heading for a draw, Bhasvi awarded another penalty to Dynamos after what he saw as a rough challenge on Denver Mukamba. He was hesitant for some seconds before blowing for the penalty.
“As an institution we also deserve our right to question why the game was allocated to Allan Bhasvi, a soldier still serving in the organisation?” said Rhinos in their correspondence to PSL.
“For this did put him under unnecessary pressure to show that he can’t be judged to have favoured Black Rhinos, or alternatively make those glaring mistakes due to that undue influence pressure.
“We feel he could have recused himself or those who appoint referees could have seen reason in not giving him a game against his paymasters. It’s akin to taking a Dynamos worker and giving him a game which Dynamos will be partaking in.
“We therefore request that our matter be attended to with due diligence and the just cause it deserves. We hope to get a response when you have attended to our concern.”
Online Reporter